^^ — 


«^ 


c <.. « 








*c 


««r 


<; c <s 


<c 


«C 


t- c cr 


<K. 


<3C_ 


*. <r « 


*C 


«3: 


<-C CC 


<r 


<aCL 


Cs,COL 


<i. 


«c: 


etc CC 


«i 


<ac: 


CtCCC 


«c 


««: 


«c «:, 


«:: 


<ac: 


, *<r<lC< 


«: 


-OCT 


<«r<c « 


«C 




'^^C CC <C 






.< < C '■ «c 


< 


c <- t c c <r 


<c 


' <: C c c- < «I; 




^<: c ^ c . c <r ' 


<: 


'^ <i c.<c< <r 


r^ 


^ <0 < ^ r, r <-. 




<^<:v V . fV <:; , 


<• 


c 5^ <_.... <- ,- 




c <:^ t.. '■- c <;.. 




5^^ C<^Ct <^ c 


<^ 


<^-<:'--^ c< ( c a: ^ . 


<- 


<:*!' <■ <r<- <st". ^ 




^^C.r(- <g— >. 


<: 


^'d^^^'-c <*: . «:<. 


< 




^^^- ^ ' • c <sc' . 






^*^_^ c* OC c-.r 




^Cl<''C.,<ar- t„ 





.vv^ "Kg;: . 



<:?^'«c: 






<3r «^ 






LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 



S]ielf.H.M-. 



.U^aXED STATES OF AMERICA. 

^ - 



_«Cci •<<3< 









c <c: 

c <ac 
oc 

«tic: 



C" <>"C' die: <:««c 
'■:<; -CC' * 



"•Cj^*"*' 









•ccc: 

<:: <c 









<c <r <r «c^ 



f; CL.- 












«L.>^. cCT 


<!'■< 


«:ii< ^~<c~ 


<g<i 


;^-c c<3 


<?fciS. 


«:_ic .<i: 


^ <ik'cr 


*c_/ --^ 


— ■«£:-? "c 


^' '^ 


^. ■■<c:> '»- 


^ ^^^^ 


*C7 <«: 


<Zj_ <r 


^<St^" 


^c"'- ';<izr 


^<::r?- i®-: 


<!];■" ■■<:l" 


'-«E«r' 




c«3r-^._ 


<C^<^ 




«Ct «^ 


•^<Cx •^ 


ci- «::i « 


r. ^^e?? 


C^ < cr 


c<s: . 


-^ c: d 


«c: . 


S *: <^ 


^CC' 


_ <c, c 


'•K?' <3 


_ c: c 


«S_ Ol 


cr <; "c 


^KE!i' c 


H c c 


^^I '" < 


cc <^ < 


^ife- 


CI < <- 


^^^s^Hl 


^•^^^ •* 


T^l^W 


^^^ 


^^^s^H 






c_ c 








*=^' ^- . 




<- 
c 








^ 




I 'c > 

C C 




ST' 





S'f <<^c'-c«::< c 






"5S 






, «r (id 

<r <<c 






<c C 









<^«: cd 






^ <«i 

-If' < 

=--'- <■■<' OCT 



«: <r <s£ 



<crc c < 






BORDER 



STATES 



OF 



MEXICO 



FOURTH EDITION-PRICE, $1.00. 



ISHTAR AND IZDUBAR 

THE EPIC OF BABTLONs 

OR, 

The Babylonian Goddess of Love 

AND 

The Hero andV/arrior King; 



CONSTRUCTED FROM TRANSLATIONS OF THE GREAT ACCADIAN EPIC AM; 
THE LEGENDS OF ASSYRIA AND BABYLON. FOUND ' IN CUNEI- 
FORM INSCRIPTIONS ON TABLETS LATELY DISCOVERED 
ON THE SITE OF THE RUINS OF NINEVEH, 
AND NOW DEPOSITED IN THE 
BRITISH MUSEUM. 

The Oldest Epic Poem of Antiquity, 

RESTORED IN MODERN VERSE, 



LEONIDAS LE CENCI HAMILTON, A.M. 
(illustrated) 

London and New York: 
188-,. 



BORDER STATES OF MEXICO: 

SONORA, SiNALOA, CHIHUAHUA 
AND DURAN^GO. 

With a General Sketch of the Republic of Mexico, and Lower California, 
Coahuila, New Leon and Tamaulipas. 



A COMPLETE DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST REGIONS 

FOR THB 

Settler, Miner and the Advance Guard 
of American Civilization. 

The Mining Districts and Mines, the Agricultural and Grazing 
Regions, Cities and Towns, Location and Distances and Prin- 
cipal Business Men, Factories, etc., Exports, Imports and 
Productions; to which are added, Resources of 
Mexico, Duties, the Trade with Mexico, How 
to acquire Property in Mexico, Rail- 
roads and Traveling in the 
Republic, 

Collected from all the Works extant on Mexico, and Reports of Travelers, Official Recordse 

and Reports of Mining Experts and Old Residents, with Information 

up to date; the whole making 

A Complete Guide 

FOR 

TRAVELERS AND EMIGRANTS. 



883 'ij 



LEONID AS Hamilton/ ap 4 i883 

-^ No,.a..^i... 

^/^^ WASHING*!^ 



FOURTH EDITION- 
REVISED AND ENLARGED. 

NEW YORK, 1883. 



CONTENTS. 



Page. 
Introduction 3 

Physical Features of the Republic op Mexico. «. 7 

Political Divisions and Population of Mexico 7 

National AND State Governments 8 

Education, Colleges, Libraries, Museums, Fine Arts, 

Etc = 11 

Resources OP Mexico. 13 

Lower California 16 

Climate op the Table Lands op the Northern Part 

op Mexico , 17 

SONORA 

Boundaries and general deseription; climate and 

productions 19 

Guajmas — location, harbor, streets, public build- 
ings, plaza, principal business men, mint, dis- 
tances, Sonera Railroad, population, importance 
of Guaymas, commerce. Alamos, Altar, stage 

connections 27 

Hermosillo — Cerro de la Campana, aqeduct, vine- 
yards and orchards, public buildings, hotels, 
beautiful plaza, ladies celebrated for their 
beauty and fecundity, Paris fashions, business 
houses, haciendas, water and wood in abundance, 
factories, mints leased, stage lines, Sonora Rail- 
road 31 

Ures — capital, picturesque environs, alameda, ele- 
gant residences, commercial houses, haciendas. 

Las Delicias, scorpions 36 

Santa Cruz — beautiful valley, haciendas, Santa 
Cruz River, Spanish explorers, Tumacori, fertile 

lands 37 

Bacuachi — rich mineral region, climate, etc., Fron- 
teras, Bapispe, Bapepito River, Arispe, hacienda 
of Las Delicias, Sonora River, Moctezuma, Sa- 
huaripa roads, etc.. River Papigochi, Altar 
mines. La Libertad 38 



Page. 
Eivers Yaqui and Mayo, course and length; fertile 
lands, irrigation, high water, flour mills, oyster 
beds, settlements; Mayo — narrow valley, settle- 
ments; pearl divers, sharks, whales, mantua or 

blanket fish 42 

Indians and presidios, character of the Yaqui Indi- 
ans — Velasco gives them a bad character; Mayos; 
Ceris, their character, location, pelican-skin 
dress; Opatas, anecdote of the Opatas, Papajos; 
''Pitaya syrup" Apaches, warlike, personal ap- 
pearance, habitation; comparative peace 46 

Discovery of Gold — A natural phenomenon; gold 

everywhere 56 

Mines op Sonora 57 

Mining Districts — Location and description of mines 

of Sonora 58 

SiNALOA 102 

Roads of the State 106 

Mazatlan — coast, harbor, streets, wholesale and re- 
tail houses, description of houses, streets, gov- 
ernment buildings, composite architecture, pub- 
lic plaza, market place, principal trade, Mazatlan 
River, rich merchants, hacienda of Piastla, prin- 
cipal business men of Mazatlan, hotels, trade 
with Boston, Philadelphia, New York and San 
Francisco; iron foundries 108 

Rosario — town located in a ravine, Rosario River, 
excellent roads, distances, the great Tajo mine a 
source of wealth to the city 114 

Culiacan — capital of the State, productions of this 
locality, cotton factory, stage road, principal 
business houses, Presidio of Mazatlan, ladies of 
Culiacan 115 

Cosala — flower gardens, mining town, peculiar dis- 
ease, principal business of the State, legend of. 
Estacata mine, a mine lined with ebony, haci- 
enda of La Labor 116 

Mining Districts and mines of Sinaloa 117 

Chihuahua 

General description, rivers, deserts, and grazing 
districts; soil and productions, and grazing; 
climate 134 

Chihuahua — capital, its origin, city well laid out. 
Plaza Mayor, famous cathedral, Convent of San 



5 

Page. 
Francisco, aqueduct, mint, trade, patriot Hidalgo 

peculiar duties abolished , 138 

Las Cas Grandes and its legend 139 

From El Paso to the city of Chihuahua 142 

Los Medanos * 145 

From Chihuahua to Durango 146 

El Paso del Norte 148 

Mining Districts and mines of Chihuahua 149 

Durango , 

Boundaries and physical features, mountains, graz- 
ing districts, and desert lands 161 

City opDfrango 

Situated in a plain, streets pretty and regular, 

Plaza Mayor, public buildings, trade, "Cerro de 

Mercado," or Mountain of Iron, principal busi- 

nessfirms, bath houses 163 

From Durango to Mazatlan 164 

A Grand View , 166 

The Devil's Backbone 168 

Short route to Mazatlan 169 

Ran ch ode Morte ros 170 

Mi nes of Du rango 171 

L'on mines of Durango. 176 

Curious Caves of Durango 181 

Coahuila 182 

Nuevo Leon 182 

Taraaulipas 183 

Arts and Manufactures 183 

Imports and Exports 185 

How to reach the northern part of Mexico 189 

Revolutions 191 

Annexation 193 

Roads of northern Mexico ,.. 196 

Manner of acquiring real estate 197 

Mexican Mining Laws 198 

Mexican R. R. concessions 199 

Mexican tarift' and trade regulations 202 

Trade with Mexico.. 211 

How to Secure Mexican Trade 219 

Importance of Matriculation 222 

Importance of Securing Patents for Inventions and 

Improvements in Mexico 222 

Treaties between Mexico and the United States 225 

An Important Decree 225 



l!ll||IK!lilllllll!li!lilllil«lilll!illllll!ltrJ!J3Miiihii I 



jm^, I 




GENEEAL, DESOEIPTIOH 



REPUBLIC OF MEXICO. 



Physical Features. 

The Mexican Kepublic is a land of marvels for the scientist, 
and, with its grand gorges, deep harrancas, loftj mountain 
peaks, beautiful valleys, elevated mesas, and ancient _ cities 
nestling among unrivaled scenery, will always be an object of 
interest to the traveler. Within its 1,224,996 square miles of 
territory, the shores of which are washed by two oceans, may 
be found a greater variety of scenery, climate, productions in 
agriculture, and minerals than in any equal .area. Its series 
of mountain chains and elevated plateaus, extending from the 
northwest to the southeast the entire length of the Republic, 
have yielded immense mineral wealth, and contain within 
them deposits of all the known metals. These two great 
ranges of mountains, one on the eastern and the other on the 
western boundary, form a continuous chain with the great 
mesas in the center, and slope gradually down toward the 
Pacific Ocean on one side and the Mexican Gulf on the other, 
interrupted by plateaus, on which towns are to be found on 
the lakes, rivers, and amidst luxuriant vegetation. The, vary- 
ing altitudes produce a diversity of climate, ranging from the 
cold through the temperate to the torrid, and a wonderful 
variety of fruits and flowers of every description, from the 
European apple and rose to the Cuban guava and cactus, 
besi>..c other species unknown to any other country. 

Political Divisions and Population. 

The present population of the Republic, as near as can 
be estimated from the work of Antonio Garcia Cubas of 
the city of Mexico, is somewhere in the neighborhood of 



8 

9,525,000, in round numbers, taking into account an increase 
since 1876: divided among the different states, as follows : 

Sonora 125,000 Oaxaca 680,000 

Coahuila 115,000 Chiapas 200,000 

Chihuahua 190,000 Durango 185,000 

New Leon 200,000 Zacatecas 420,000 

Tamaulipas 180,000 Aguas Calientes. . . 100,000 

Vera Cruz 550,000 San Luis Potosi 555,000 

Tobasco 100,000 Guanajuato 900,000 

Campeachy 95,000 Queretaro 170,000 

Yucatan 350,000 Hidalgo 430,000 

Sinaloa 200,000 Mexico 750,000 

Jalisco 980,000 Morelos 150,000 

Colima 75,000 Puebla 750,000 

Michoacan 620,000 Tlaxcala 130,000 

Guerrero 350,000 

Total. 9,500,000 

"With the territory of Lower California, which Antonio 
Garcia Cubas, in his geography of Mexico, places at 23,195, 
in 1874, the population of the whole repubUc may be esti- 
mated at about 9,525,000, allowing an increase in Lower 
California, up to 1880, or about six years, of about 2^000 
more. 

National and State Governments. 

Under the present Constitution of the Republic, adopted 
February 5th, 1857, the Govemmenf was organized with 
three branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial — Con- 
gress, President and Cabinet, and Supreme and Circuit and 
District Courts. 

The supreme legislative power is vested in the Congress 
of the Union, composed of a Senate and Chamber of Depu- 
ties. The members are elected by secret ballot, deposited 
by Electors chosen by the people. One Elector is chosen for 
every five hundred inhabitants, and one for every fraction 
thereof, in each Congressional district. The Senators aro 
elected at the same time as the Deputies — two for each State 
and one for the Federal District and Territory of Lower Cali- 
fornia respectively. A Deputy is chosen for each 40,000 in- 
habitants and one for every fraction over 20,000. Substitute 
Senators and Deputies are chosen at the same time and in the 
same manner. Li order to be eligible for the ofiicer ot Sen- 
ator it is requisite to be a Mexican citizen in the full exercise 



of his rights, thirty years of age at the opening of the session, 
resident of the State or Territory he represents, and not to be 
an ecclesiastic. The Deputies must he of the age of twenty- 
five years and possessed of the other quaUfications demanded 
from Senators. Each Chamber of Congress decides with 
regard to the election of its members, and determines any 
doubts that may occur regarding the same. Over one-half 
the total number constitutes a quorum in the Chamber of 
Deputies. The quorum of the Senate consists of two-thirds 
of the members elected. Two ordinary sessions are held each 
year. The first commences on the 16th of September and 
terminates on the 15th of December; the second commences 
of the 1st day of April and ends on the last day of May. 

The President is elected by secret ballot by Electors, in 
the same manner as Senators and Deputies, taking his seat 
on the 1st of December, for the period of four years, and he 
is ineligible to a re-election to a second term without another 
intervening. To be eHgible to this office he must be a native 
citizen, thirty-five years of age at time of election, and not to 
belong to the ecclesiastical state, and a resident of the Repulic. 
The Cabinet is appointed by the President, and consists of 
Secretaries of Foreign Relations, Treasury, War and Navy, 
Interior and Pubho ^Works. Eligibility to these offices re- 
quire the candidate to be a native citizen and twenty-five 
years of age. The President and Cabinet constitute the 
Executive branch of the Government. 

The Judicial power is vested in a Supreme Court and Cir- 
cuit and District Courts. The Supreme Court is composed 
of eleven Judges Proprietary, four Supernumeraries, one At- 
torney-General and one Solicitor-General. The term of office 
is for six years. This body is also chosen by Electors. To 
be eligible it is necessary to be a native citizen, "instructed 
in the science of law in the opinion of the Electors," and 
over thirty-five years of age. The Judicial Circuits are eight 
in number, presided over by Circuit Judges, appointed by 
the Executive at the request of the Supreme Court. These 
Circuit Courts convene at the following cities: Mexico, 
Mazatlan, Celaya, Durango, Guadalajara, Monterey, Meridii, 
and Puebla. There are thirty-one District Judges, dis- 
tributed as follows: Two in Mexico, two in Tamaulipas, and 
one in each of the other States and Territory, appointed in 
the same manner as the Circuit Judges. The District-At- 
torneys of each District and Circuit are appointed by the 
Executive, also. 

The State Governments are divided into three parts — the 



10 

Executive (Governor), Legislature, and Judiciary." The 
The Governor and Legislature are elected by the people and 
the Judiciary is apjDointed. The State Judiciary consists of 
a Supreme Tribunal and Courts of the First Instance and 
Municipal Courts; the latter are presided over in some cities 
by Prefects and Sub-Prefects, and in others by Alcaldes and 
Justices of the Peace. 

In relation to reHgious belief. Article 123 reads as follows: 
"It belongs exclusively to the Federal power to exercise in 
matters of religious belief and discipline the intervention 
which may be prescribed by the laws." The Constituiion, 
laws of Congress, and treaties are, by the Constitution, de- 
clared to be the supreme law of all the Union. 

It will thus be seen that much of the Mexican Constitution 
is modeled after our Federal Constitution, and even, in some 
instances, contains improvements on the same. 

ISTominally all religions are tolerated in the Republic, al- 
though the Roman Catholic predominates for the most part. 
In the large cities some of the Protestant denominations have 
obtained a foothold. On the overthrow of the Church party 
all the real estate held by the Church was confiscated, and 
by the Constitution of 1857 this class of property was forbid- 
den to ecclesiastical corporations. Each State of the Feder- 
ation is declared sovereign, and all the powers not expressly 
delegated to the General Government by the Constitution 
was reserved to the States, respectively. The Federal dis- 
trict and Lower California are, however subject to the Gen- 
eral Government, and controled entirely by Federal laws. 
The Codes originally adopted by the Federal Congress for 
the Federal District and Lower California have since, with 
some slight modifications, been adopted by most of the sev- 
eral States, and the laws may therefore be said to be uniform 
in their main features throughout the Republic. 

The Republic was declared independent February 24th, 
1821; established as an Empire, under Iturbide, in 1822, and 
proclaimed a Republic December 2d, 1822, by Santa Anna. 
Iturbide abdicated March 20th, 1823. The Repubhc con- 
tains 27 States, 1 Territory, and 1 Federal District. The 
present Constitution was adopted February 5th, 1857. 



11 

Sducatioa. 



The principle of obligatory education is now in force in 
the greater part of the states of the republic, penalties hav- 
ing been decreed for those who contravene the law, and re- 
wards for those who voluntarily observe the same. Primary 
instruction in the schools of the republic consists of the fol- 
lowing branches: Reading, writing, Spanish grammar, arith- 
metic, tables of weights and measures, morality, and good 
manners; and moreover, in the girls' schools, needlework 
and other useful labors. In some of the states the study of 
geography, national history, and drawing are also obligatory; 
whilst, in the schools that are not supported by the govern- 
ment, a knowledge of algebra and geometry is taught, 
with the elements of general and natural history, ornamental 
and lineal drawing, and the French language. The number 
of primary schools in the whole of the republic reaches 
8,103. Of the number referred to, according to the work of 
Seuor Diaz Covarrubias, 603 are supported by the state gov- 
ernments, 6,240 by the municipal authorities, 378 by private 
corporations or individuals, 117 by the Catholic clergy, be- 
sides 1,581 private establishments that are not gratuitous, 
and 184 not classified. These schools are attended by schol- 
ars of both sexes. Secondary instruction, as well as profe-- 
sional education, are under the charge of the state, with 
subjection to the programmes established by the law, which 
prescribes as a mandate the liberty of education and profes- 
sions. 

In the republic there are 105 establishments of secondary 
and professional instruction. These embrace preparatory 
schools, civil colleges of jurisprudence, s-hools of medicine 
and phar.iiacy,(no one can practice medicine or keep a drug- 
store without a diploma from the government) schools for en- 
gineers, naval schools, commercial schools, academies of arts 
and sciences, agricultural schools, academies of fine arts, con- 
servator) es of music and oratory, military colleges, concilia- 
tory seminaries supported by the Catholic clergy, blind school, 
deaf and dumb school, and secondary schools for girls. In 
these latter, mathematics, cosmography, geography, domestic 
medicine, history and chronology, book-keeping, domestic 
economy, and duties of women in society, natural, figured, 
and ornamented drawing, manual labors, horticulture and 
gardening, music, the French and Italian languages — cer- 



12 

taiuly, a youug lady who graduates in these schools may be 
said to be accomplished, and our female seminaries might 
find some suggestions in a finished education. The whole 
number of educational establishments is 8,208, with 364,809 
pupils. Besides these are eight model schools; 285,509 
males and 79,300 females receive instruction, and this does 
not include the education under private tutors. There are 
20 public libraries in the state, containing, in the whole, 
236,000 volumes; and private libraries, containing from 1,000 
to 8,000 works, are innumerable; and there are some with 
as many as 20,000, and collections of manuscripts and books 
upon history and travels, literature, law, biography, elo- 
quence, encyclopedias, classic authors, mathematics, phys- 
ical sciences, and antiquities, relating to America, Asia, 
Egypt and liJ'ubia. 

The most remarkable museums of the Republic are 
those of antiquities in Mexico, Campeche, Puebla and 
Merida; those of paintings in Mexico, Oaxaca and Puebla; 
those of natural history in Guadalajara and Mexico. The ]^a- 
tional Museum of Mexico, to which is annexed that of 
Il^atural History, contains a rich collection of Mexican antiq- 
uities, hieroglyphics, manuscripts, arms, utensils, idols, 
jewels, and every species of ornaments. 

The Museum of Natural History at the Mining College, 
now the School of Engineers, is composed of two cabinets. 
In the first, there is a well classified collection of geological 
specimens, and another of zoology, which contains a large 
assortment. 

In the second, are found two collections of minerals from 
Europe and Mexico, arranged according to the chemical 
mineralogical system of Berzelius. 

The Academy of San Carlos, named in honor of Carlos the 
Third, of Spain, is one of the most notable institutions of 
the City of Mexico. It contains several galleries, where nu- 
merous original and valuable old Spanish and Italian paint- 
ings are to be seen. Among others, are works of Leonardo 
de Vinci, Murillo, Vernet, Coglietti, Cauova, Van Dyck, Cor- 
tona, Perugino, Ingres, Decaen, Reni Marko, and other 
works of Podesti and Silvagni, and several of the Flemish 
and Dutch schools. In the other saloons are to be seen the 
paintings of some of the most proficient students of the 
Academy; also, many remarkable paintings of ancient 
Mexican artists, as Cobreza, Aguilero, the Juarez family, 
Ybarra, Arteaga, Vallejo, Echave, and others. 

In the republic there exist 73 institutions dedicated to 



10 
O 

the cultivation of arts and sciences, of which 29 are scien- 
tific, 21 literary, 20 artistical, and three of a mixed char- 
acter. 

Resources of Mexico. 

There are now being established, in the greater part of the 
states of Mexico,, cotton, woolen, silk, earthenware, glass, 
and paper factories, which will add to her present prosper- 
ity. If all this great territory were populated, even in pro- 
portion to Guanajato and its territory, ihe census of the 
republic would reach 58,000,000 to 60,000,000, instead of 
only 9,000,000 to 10,000,000. This scarcity oi population 
is the one great cause of the undevelopment of the vast 
agricultural resources of Mexico; and when they are fully 
developed, they will constitute an element of enormous 
wealth. 

Within the territory of the republic, there are more than 
5700 haciendas, (landed estates) and 13,800 farms, (ranchos) 
and not a few other locations, of immense extent. The 
value assigned to landed property, based simply on its valu- 
ation for taxes, is $101,397,311. The real value may be said 
to be double that amount, or about 1323,000,000. The 
maize which is grown all over the territory, the wheat in 
the upper table-lands, the rice in the warm and damp sec- 
tions, the coffee, vanilla, toba<}co, sugar, and cotton in the 
hot countries, and many other articles, among which may be 
mentioned the "agave Mexicano," with its _ abundant 
returns, constitute the principal branches of national agri- 
culture, and the annual products may be safely estimated at 
$100,000,000. If colonies were settled in this vast territory, 
employing their activity and inteUigence in making such 
rich and extensive lands productive, under the influence of 
the varieties of chmate, the benefits derived to Mexico are 
almost incalculable. 

The rich and varied mineral productions of the republic 
have placed its mines in the niche of fame; and were it not 
for the scarcity of population before mentioned, they would 
produce a revenue that has never been dreamed of, in the 
imaginations of their Spanish conquerors. 

The mines of Guanajato, which have been the most 
worked, and yielded enormously, still present immense 
wealth, with no signs of their being exhausted. The soil of 
Guerrero has been pronounced, by a Spanish^ mineralogist 
as one extensive crust of silver and gold. This seems like 
exaggeration, j^et it has in a measure proved to be true in 



14 

the immense deposits there found. In Sinaloa the waters 
have submerged rich treasures, some of which have been 
rediscovered. 

The states of Zacatecas, Sonora, Chihuahua, Durango, San 
Luis Potosi, Hidalgo, Mexico, and Michoacan contain with- 
in their mountain ranges veins of gold and silver in inex- 
haustible riches. Although the best portion of the mineral 
district lies in the northern states of the republic, yet 
throughout its whole territory metaliferous deposits are 
found. Silver and gold are mostly worked, while the other 
metals and mineral substances, such as copper, iron, zinc, 
lead, magistral, antimony, arsenic, cobalt, amianthus, and 
copperas are almost neglected. The mountain of Popocata- 
petl is. said to be one vast pile of sulphur. Salt mines are 
found at Peiion Blanco, in San Luis Potosi, Tamaulipas, 
south of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and in the islands of 
the Gulf of Cahfornia. The Lake of Texcoco and its adja- 
cent lands possess an extensive supply of carbonate of soda. 
In every state there exist quarries of white and colored mar- 
ble. The alabaster of Tecali, in the state of Puebla, has at- 
tracted great attention, and the extensive coal-fields, platina, 
and quicksilver mines all add to the wealth of this great ter- 
ritory. Precious stones are not unknown; the opal with as 
varied and beautiful hues as those of Hungary, the turquoise, 
garnet, topaz, agate, and amethyst besides, are found exten- 
Bively in many places. Building stone of a great variety 
is plentiful, from which magnificent structures may be built. 
Aside from the amount of ores that are worked outside of 
the republic on account of the law permitting free exporta- 
tion of mineral ores, the annual coinage in gold, silver, and 
copper is on an average of $20,500,000, and the whole 
amount of coinage since the establishment of the mints up 
to 1875 being $3,001,237,281.62. In the colonial period 
(1537 to 1821): Silver, $2,082,260,657.44; gold, $68,778,- 
411; copper, $542,893.37— total, $2,151,581,961.81. Since 
the independence, or establishment of the republic (1822 to 
1875): Silver, $797,055,080.71; gold, $47,327,383.11; cop- 
per, $5,272,855.93— -total, $849,655,319.84. Total silver, 
$2,879,315,738.21; gold, $116,105,794.11; copper, $5,815,- 
740.30. Grand total, $3,001,237,281.62. 

Within the last five years, since the investment of addition- 
al foreign capital, the amount additional, on the average of 
twenty and one-half millions a year as the lowest estimate, 
would reach $102,500,000 more, which would make the 
sum total in 1880, $3,103,737,281.62 as the amount coined 
by the republic of Mexico. 



15 

To show the increase of production, from the records of 
the mints, we herewith give the amount coined up to 1865 
to compare with the amount coined m 1875 from official 
records, the first being taken from "El Minero Mexicaoio of 
December 2nd, 1880, and the second or latter from Gubas 
valuable work, which he claims to have obtained from the 
records at the mints. 

Amount of Money Coined in the Republic of Mexico 
from 1772 to 1865. 



In the Mints of 


Silver. 


Gold. 


Total. 




$2,163,836,764 

1,321,545 

15,626,400 

12,795,505 

35,294,581 

28,288,333 

164,591,216 

48,745,584 

910,927 

204,234,941 

2,063,958 

1,551,249 

959,116 


$77,753,472 

1,286,695 

4,735,283 

3,139,889 

754,487 

15,094,529 

' 236 120 

550,008 

2,311,104 

' 203,534 


$2,241,590,237 




1,321,545 




16,912,495 




17,530,791 




38,434,470 




29,042,820 




179,685,745 


San Luis Potosi 


48,745,584 
1,147,046 




204,784,949 


Guadalupe y Calvo 


4,375,062 
1,651,249 


Tlalpam 


1,162,650 


1865.— Total 


$2,680,220,119 


$106,064,534 


|2,786,28i,654 



1875 — Total amount coined from 1772. 
1865 " " deducted...., 



Increase in 10 years 

(or about $21,495,262.76 cents annnally.) 



53,001, 237,281 62 
2,786,284,654 00 

$214,952,627 62 



The average annual production of the mines of Sonora, 
from 1835 to 1842, was given by Francisco Velasco at a 
rough estimate of $1,500,000 annually, or $10,500,000 during 
the period of seven years. In 1828, Don Juan M. Riesago 
estimated the annual production at $2,000,000. 

The laws originally demanded that all bullion should be 
brought to Mexico to be coined, and the cost of carrying 
was so great that the rich mines in these border States be- 
came almost neglected by capitalists, and the poorer ones 
nearest to Mexico City were mostly worked. This resulted 
in the smuggling of bullion out of the mines in the northern 
states of the republic, and no record could be kept at the 
mints, of those mines — in fact, there are no reliable records 
that give any account of the exports of bullion either from 
ivlazatlan or Guaymas, although some records exist covering 



IG ^ 

the last few years; while it is well known that the mines in 
those States have been extensively worked in certain locali- 
ties for over a century. 

-i 
Lower California. ^ 

This embraces a territory or peninsula, washed on its 
western shores by the Pacific Ocean, and east by the Gulf 
of California. Its area is over 60,000 square miles. Its 
capital is La Paz, which is the principal town. The 
whole of the center is traversed by a volcanic range of 
mountains of tlie Sierra Nevada. It is bounded on the 
north by California and north-east by the Colorado River, di- 
viding it from Sonora. 

The soil is generally not productive, though, at the base 
of the mbuntains and in small valleys, where the decompo- 
sition of lava has been going on for ages, it possesses an in- 
credible fecundity. The formation of the whole State is 
volcanic, and the coast subject to storms. The scarcity of 
rivers bars much of its prosperity. 

The productions are maize, manioc, wheat, beans, etc. ; 
grapes, from which wine of a very rich flavor is produced; 
oranges, limes, lemons, citrons, prunes, dates, figs, pine- 
apples, bananas, plantains, and other tropical fruits; stock of 
various kinds graze in the valleys, consisting of horses, 
Bheep, cattle, goats and hogs. Fish, in its waters, abound 
to a great extent, such as halibut, salmon, turbot, skate, 
pilchard, large oysters, thornback, mackerel, cod, lobsters, 
etc., and pearl oysters. 

The pearl fishery is much pursued at La Paz. In this 
region, a gold mine has been worked to some extent. 
There are about c.0 towns in the state, six bays on the east 
coast and ten on the west, twelve islands in the gulf, and 
eight west of the coast. 

The territory of Lower California is divided into eight 
municipalities — La Paz, San Jose de Comondu, Mulege, 
Santo Tomas, San Antonio, Todos Santos, Santiago, San Jos^ 
del Cabo. Population, 25,000. 

La Paz, the capital, has about 3,000 inhabitants 

This territory is about to be colonized, as \^e learn from 
the " Diario Official ' that a contract has been signed by 
the Acting Secretary of Public Works, in virtue whereof, 
Messrs. J. Kelly & Co., of Mazat an, engage themselves to 
colonize 36 000 hectares of public lands in Lower Cali- 
fornia. 



lY 

The Climate of the Table Lands of the Northern 
Part of Mexico. 

The altitude of the table lands of Mexico has a marked 
effect upon the climate. In the summer the thermometer 
records a mean temperature of 85 decrees at El Paso, 380(1 
feet above the sea. It sometimes reaches 105 degrees in 
July. The constant breezes, however, make the helit more 
bearable. In December — the middle of the winter season— 
the mean temperature is about 48 degrees, the mercury fall- 
ing sometimes to 5 degrees below zero. Snow fails some- 
times two feet in depth, and ice forms a sblid sheet on the 
■ Rio Grande, andthe streams are sometimes frozen to a con- 
siderable depth, strong enough to bear a heavy mule team 
and loaded wagon. The frosts are severe, therefore, and 
grapevines at El Paso and other points have to be protected 
by burying in the earth from eighteen inches to two feefc 
beneath the surface. The Eio Grande generallv freezes so 
as to make the fording an impossibility during^the coldesfe 
weather. The whole of the table lands is subject to ex- 
tremely cold weather, and travelers not only often suffer se- 
verely but actually perish from the cold when not carefulitr 
protected. In the mining region of Jesus Maria, in Chihua- 
hua the ice frequently forms to a considerable thickness in 
the houses The rainfall reaches from six to fourteen and 
htteen inches, and when accompanied by sleet and snow 
makes traveling anything but pleasant in the fiice of some of 
the winter storms that sweep over the elevated plains. 
Iravelers recount some very disagreeable experiences in 
midwinter traveling. Mr. Ruxton speaks of riding through 
one ot these storms when his blanket, used as a protection 
against the storm, froze stiff and hard as a board while ho 
he was in the midst of a storm of sleet and rain. His feefe 
were frozen, and he came near perishing. Stopi.in^^- and 
squatting upon the ground, having lost his way in the ni-ht 
he cirew his blanket around him as best he could and'' re- 
mained till near morning in that position, with his' blanket 
oyer his head. He says that before morning he was com- 
pletely snowed in, the snow being over his head on a level. 
J^rom this we should judge that the climate of these table 
It L"'"'-^' . ?^'r^ }"" ^"^ somewhat similar to the climute of 
the Mississippi Valley, bordering Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. 
Ihe statement, therefore, that the climate of Mexico is trop- 
ical will not apply to these table lands. In most of the min- 
ing regions of this portion of Mexico snow tails and ice forms. 



18 

All the mines of any value or located in the mountains or 
cold regions. Durango, Coahuila and part of New Leon and 
Tamaulipas have about the same climate as in Chihuahua, 
with a less proportion of snow in New Leon and Tamaulipas. 
The table lands are healthy, and the air is pure and bracing. 
The altitude produces every variety of climate on the 
plateaus until the low lands or plains are reached, when 
tropical features alone prevail. The low, marshy regions 
are to be avoided not only on account of the " vomito" — 
the scourge of those regions — but also the malarial fevers 
which make such localities dangerous for the settler. 

The climate of Chihuahua City is about the same as at El 
Paso, with perhaps more cold weather, since the altitude ia 
higher, and the mountains adjacent reaching several thou- 
sand feet above the level of the plain, and in the wintertime 
are perpetually covered with snow. The peak of Jesus Ma- 
ria, in the southwestern portion of the State, is 8456 feet 
above the sea, and La Tarumara 8340. The city of Durango, 
Humboldt says, is about 6845 feet above the sea, and the 
Cerro de Mercado, or Iron Mountain, adjacent is 8220 feet, 
making the climate, consequently, from the altitude and sur- 
roundings, cold in the winter season, with considerable snow 
and ice prevailing. 

In the mountainous part of Siualoa the same may be said, 
though the altitude of the whole State is much lower, since 
the highest peaks, viz.. La Bayona and Cabeza de Caballo, 
make only 5614 and 4365 feet respectively above the sea. 
In New Leon, El de la Silla and Sierra de Gomez are 7800 
and 6602 tee\ respectively above the sea level. 

The State of Tamaulipas has the highest mountain peaks 
ot any of the Northern States of Mexico. Los Gallitos is the 
highest, being 9633 feet, while Orcasitas is 7562 and El Me- 
tate 7144 feet above the sea. Sr. Don Perez Hernandez, in 
his work published in 1862, gives much valuable information, 
from which we extract the above figures. 

Ruxtou says. "The City of Mexico is 7470 feet above the 
sea level, and La Villa de Leon 6020, thus showing that the 
table land of Mexico does not decline so suddenly as is imag- 
ined. Indeed, excepting in the plains of Salamanca and Silao, 
there is no perceptible difference in the temperature, and, I 
believe, in reality but little in elevation in the vast region 
between the capital and Chihuahua. Snow falls here oc- 
casionally, and the mercury is sometimes seen below the 
freezing point. For the greater part of the year, however, 
'>the heat is excessive, and a low, intermittent fever prevails." 



SOI^ORA. 



CHAPTER I. 
Boundaries and General Description. 

The name of Sonora is derived from " Sonot," an Opata 
Indian name, which means "Senora," an appellation bestow- 
ed by the Spanish conquerors upon an Indian woman who 
treated them with great hospitality, when they visited the 
settlements of that tribe. The Indians, in attempting to 
imitate the Spaniards, pronounced the word "Sonora." 

The State comprises nine districts: Hermosillo, at which 
is located the capital; Ures, the former capital; Guaymas, 
Alamos, Magdalena, Altar, Oposura or Moctezuma and 
Sahuaripa. The state originally extended its boundaries 
from the river " de las Canas " on the south, to the river 
Gila on the north. The southern boundary extended then 
from the state of Jalisco on the south to Arizona, and in- 
cluded a part of the same. Yuma, with Tucson and other 
towns and ranches south of the river Gila, were originally 
included in the state. The state was then 1,395 miles in 
length, but in 1830 it was divided, and the south-eastern 
boundary fixed 54 miles south of the city of Alamos, on the 
border of the Mesquite rancho. This constituted the di- 
viding line between the states of Sonora and Sinaloa; the 
distance from the former capital, Ures, to the southern 
boundary being 354 miles. The northern boundary ex- 
tended to the Gila River, until the boundary hue between the 
United States and Mexico was fixed south of the same river. 

The length of the state is about 700 miles. Mean breadth 
from the state of Chihuahua on the east to the Gulf of Cal- 
ifornia on the west is about 300 miles. The exact measure- 
ment is not known, as the state has never been completely 
surveyed. The most narrow breadth between Mesquite and 
Alamos is about 120 miles. The area in square miles ia 
about 128,466. 

The general direction of the state is from north-west to 



20 

south-east, along the Gulf of California. Its whole western 
boundary, from the mouth of the river Colorado on the north, 
extends along the coast south-east to Sinaloa. It is bounded 
on the north by Arizona and 'New Mexico. Along the coast 
the surface is diversified by valleys,, plains, and foot-hills. 
Some of the plains are 30 to 40 miles, some reaching to 90 
miles, in extent. In the neighborhood of the Sierra Madre 
mountains it is lofty and broken. The surface may be said 
to possess three distinct features outside of the mountainous 
district. First, dry plains; second, elevated plateaus, or ta- 
ble lands; and third, agricultural valleys, or bottom lands. 
The dry plains are located in the north-western part of the 
state, between the head-waters of the Gulf of California, 
and the valley of Santa Cruz, bordering upon Arizona in the 
north. The table lands lie in the north-eastern part of the 
state, extending from the Santa Cruz valley and the soarce 
of the Bapetito Kiver, the main branch of the Yaqui on the 
west, to the base of the Sierra Madre mountains, which ex- 
tend along the boundary line between the state and Chi- 
huahua. 

From Guaymas to the northern border line, the surface is 
generally level, diversified here and there by isolated moun- 
tains, conical or table-topped, which give grandeur to the 
landscape, without occupying much arable area. The soil 
is of great depth and richness, resembling in many locali*- 
ties the famous brazos of Texas, but happily exempt from 
the malarias of the latter. 

In the interior, plains and valleys of immense extent are 
crossed by the traveler, in some instances 200 miles in 
length. The largest river of the state is the Yaqui, or 
Buenavista, which is only navigable for flat-boats in high 
water. The river Mayo may also be mentioned. Both of 
these rivers empty into the Gulf of California. The source 
of each is in the copious springs of the Sierra Madre, and 
they are never dry in the seasons of most drought. 

The river Sonora or Arispe passes through Ures and Her- 
mosillo, and loses its waters in the sandy plains of Siete Cer- 
ritos, about 21 miles west of Ilermosillo. The Ilorcasitas, 
or Rayon, a small stream, joins the Sonora about five miles 
east of Ilermosillo. The same stream is also called Opodepe 
and Cucurpe. The Oposura, Aribechi, Santa Cruz, San 
Jose de Pimas, Tecoripa, Altar, and Caborca, are mere 
creeks, fordable when their waters are high, and almost en- 
tirely disappear in dry seasons, some of them entirely sink- 
ing in the sands. The Colorado Elver on the north-west ex- 



21 

tends along but a small part of the boundary. There are 
many sand-plains along the coast, as well as large sterile 
tracts in the interior, and only on the banks of the streams 
or river bottoms are the lands capable of irrigation. The 
principal sand-plain extends from the mouth of the Colorado 
to the Salinas Bay near port La Libertad. 

The only port suitable for commerce is that of Guaymas, 
to which we-will call particular attention hereafter. Some 
trade is also done at La Libertad. In Santa Cruz de Mayo, 
of the department of Alamos, in the southern part of the 
state, there is a small bay or roadstead called the port of 
Santa Cruz. 

That portion lying between Mesqnite on the south along 
the base of the Sierra Madre, extending north to the 
ancient capital city Arispe, is sterile in places, but has never 
been completely explored by surveying or civil engineers, 
while the region further north is, in places, very fertile. 
This territory will demand a more particular description 
hereafter. The most valuable agricultural lauds are situated 
on the banks of the rivers and creeks, or river bottoms. 
Irrigation is necessary for almost the entire territory, either 
natural or artificial. The yield in this case is vastly greater 
than is produced in countries where the sole depend'ence is 
rain. The dry plains are generally level, with a hard sur- 
face, and adapted for purposes of wagon-roads and railroads. 
Experience has shown that artesiau^well-water may be ob- 
tained. The arid spots cannot be cultivated. Tne table- 
lands are covered with a short and luxuriant grass, upon 
which immense herds of cattle have been and may still be 
raised. 

Wo herewith give the following from the pen of an able 
Spanish writer, Velasco, who impartially describes the state, 
in his valuable work on Souora, which has been translated 
by Mr. 'Nxe. Page 14: 

" The most thickly settled places are upon the banks of 
the rivers and creeks, while at the interior settlements be- 
tween Alamos and Ilermosillo there is so great a scarcity of 
water on the roads that the traveler is compelled to carry a 
supply with him. It is not uncommon to travel eight or 
even sixteen leagues, (about three miles to the league) with- 
out finding a stream or a place where water may be procured 
hj digging. Un that part of the coast called Tiburon, to the 
west of Hermosillo, the distance between Wciteriug-piaces is 
still greater, and the supply more scanty, and on the old road 
of CieneguiUa, which is from fifty to sixty leagues in length, 



22 



there are but three watering-places, including one well. On 
the road from Hermosillo to the port of Guaymas, in the 
dry season, no water is to be had for thirty-six leagues, ex- 
cept at La Posa and La Cieneguilla, and it is occasionally so 
Bcarce at these places that foot passengers perish from thirst. 
The coast is so dry that the rancheros have sunk wells in 
different parts of it, thirty and forty yards in depth, without 
finding moisture. The region between Arispe and the Gila, 
however, is well watered by numerous creeks, and abounds 
in pools aud swamps, and the mountains are well supplied 
with water, and timber of various kinds, such as cedar, pine, 
evergreen oak, ebony, etc.; well stocked with deer and 
birds, and containing medicinal herbs of marvelous efficacy, 
one of which, called ' colorada,' is used by the Apaches for 
the treatment of wounds. The valleys are expansive and 
beautiful, abundantly watered, and clothed in verdure dur- 
ing the entire year; and nature has lavished her vegetable 
and mineral wealth upon these frontier regions with so prod- 
igal a hand that they may well be called the Paradise of 
Sonora. The inscrutable decree of the Almighty has be- 
stowed them upon savages, incapable of appreciating or en- 
joying his munificent gift." 

Thus we see the region north-east and bordering upon the 
State of Chihuahua, outside of the valleys of the Y'aqui and 
Mayo rivers, is the best portion of the state, and includes 
the valleys and foot-hills of the Sierra Madre. In this re- 
gion there are now many cattle-ranches of large extent, that 
may be purchased at very low rates, we should judge, tak- 
ing our data from the prices prevailing in Sonora. The 
mineral belt also extends through this region, including 
valuable mines of gold and silver, galena and coal, to which 
we will give a more extensive description hereafter, under 
the title of " Mining Districts and Mines." 



CHAPTER IL 

1. Climate. 

The climate is varied in the mountain region from ex- 
t^'eme heat to the freezing points In the winter season, the 
cold weather commences in the latter part of October, and 
reaches the lowest degree, or freezing point, from Novem- 



23 . 

ber to March. Ice sometimes appears in October, but not 
usually till November or December. In the settlements 
nearest the mountains the frosts set in earlier than in the 
interior. In the latter region, three or four years often pass 
without any frost, especially near the coast. This is true of 
Hermosillo, Buena Vista, Alamos, and in the valleys of the 
rivers Yaqui and Mayo. The warm season commences in 
May, and the heat becomes extreme during the months of 
June, July, and August. 

At Hermosillo, Guaymas, Ures, Buena Vista, and San 
Antonio de la Huerta, the mercury reaches above one hun- 
dred degrees during the months last mentioLcd. In Sep- 
tember refreshing rains fall, and continue during the winter 
season. A hot wind occasionally visits Hermosillo during 
the months of June, July, and August, which blows from 
eleven in the morning till four in the afternoon, during 
which hours business practically ceases. The inhabitants 
seek shelter in their houses, and no one ventures forth un- 
less driven by necessity. These hot winds are a terror to 
the Sonorians, and they remember, with some degree of ap- 
prehension, a time in which the wind scorched the skin like 
the heat of a furnace, and drove the hares, deer, coyotes, 
and other wild animals to the settlements for refuge, while 
plants and trees were literally scorched out at the root. 
This ^^viento caliente," or hot wind, also springs upon Guay- 
mas suddenly sometimes, and blows for twenty-four hoars 
without intermission. On reaching the coast it meets the 
damp and cooler atmosphere, and by the time it passes 
about three miles over the gulf, its heat is absorbed, and it 
vanishes. Water may be kept cool, however, in jars, even 
during the prevalence of this wind. In the beginning of 
June the poorer classes abandon the interior of their adobe 
houses, and sleep in the corridors or court-yards. Others 
often sleep in the streets before their doors, for the heat is 
insufferable within their houses. 

At Hermosillo and some other towns a southern breeze 
springs up about eight o'clock, and continues during the 
night, making the attempt to sleep more bearable ; but, if 
the breeze fails to put in an appearance, the sleepy god is 
courted in vain. At Arispe, Bacuachi, and Frontreras, the 
winter lasts longer than the summer ; and at Santa Cruz, 
near the northern boundary of the state, the altitude of the 
surrounding mountains is such, that the temperature varies 
from the cool and pleasant to the freezing point. Serious 
epidemics are unknown; and at Hermosillo the only dis- 



24 

cases that prevail, and that to a limited extent, are phthisis 
and diarrhea. On the rivers Oposura and Sahuaripa, 
"goitre," or swelled neck, appears on the necks of men, 
bat most) V on the women. The disease is called " 6w(?Ae " 
bj the Spaniards. Intermittent fevers often prevail, prob- 
ably caused by the immoderate use of fruit, in the interior; 
but they are of short continuance. We may justly affirm 
that the climate is, on the whole, salubrious, and is really 
more healthy than that of the adjoining States, or the cen- 
tral part of the republic. The atmosphere is pure and dry, 
entirely free from malaria, with but one exception, in the 
neigh borliood of Santa Cruz, where the adjacent swamps 
sometimes induce fever. The interior of the State is en- 
tirely free from noxious vapors. The air is pure and healthy, 
swee[)ing over the plains and through valleys from the sier- 
ras and the sea. 

Ill Guaymas, Matape, Ilorcositas, Arispe, and Altar, per- 
sons are found who have attained to ages ranging over a 
century. The average duration of life, with the observance 
©f pradence and temperance, ranges from seventy to eighty 
jears, says Velasco. " Owing to the practice of vaccination, 
smallpox rarely makes its appearance. Venereal diseases 
are nofe common, except in the neighborhood of the rivers 
Yaqui and Mayo, and on the coast. Catarrhs frequently ap- 
pear in a mild form during the changes of the seasons. 
One may sleep in the open air with perfect impunity, and 
experience no inconvenience. The diseases that aft'ect chil- 
dren are diarrhea, intermittent fevers, vomiting, ophthalmia, 
eruptions of the face, and other difficulties that accompany 
teething. These diseases, owing to the lack of medical 
skill, produce a mortality among children that carries off 
©ne-fourth from birth up to the period of teething, annually. 
After this critical period, good health generally attends them 
to the age of puberty." 

2. Soil and Productions. • 

The soil along the coast, from the valley or delta of the 
Colorado to the Altar or Magdalena River, is mostly unfit 
lor productions of any kind, and the land south of the Altar 
River is used for grazing purposes, from the port of La Lib- 
ertad on the coast, in places where the sand plains are not 
prevalent, to the Yaqui River. The exceptions are on the 
Altai* or Magdalena Creek or river and its branch the San 
Ignacio, and the river Sonora. Wherever no streams exist, 



25 

it may be safely said the soil cannot be cultivated. Very 
good gi'azing lands are found occasionally, from La Libertad 
to Guaymas or in its neighborhood. On the San Ignacio, 
sweet and sour oranges, lemons, citrons, limes, pomegranates, 
and peaches are raised. The territory between the San Igna- 
cio and the river Altar, produces cotton of excellent qualitj'. 
Several large plantations are in this vicinity, one of which is 
devoted to the raising of this valuable production. Cotton- 
mills are here erected, owned by the Ortizes of Ilermosillo. 
Also the "guava" is cultivated, and the plantain-tree at- 
tains a large size, bearing a heavy burden of fruit. 

In and around the territory of Hermosillo large vineyards 
are located, from which considerable quantities of '■'•agua- 
diente'' or brandy and wine are produced. Wheat is also 
grown in this locality, with beans, lentils, Chili peppers, 
garlic, onions, and sweet potatoes. The fruits are abaudant, 
and the grape, muskmelons, and watermelons, are raised of 
excellent quality. Orchards containing figs, apples, peaches, 
pears, apricots, etc., are found in this neighborhood. Cotton 
was first experimented upon in 1811, but was soon after 
abandoned, and was again continued in 1842, and carried on 
up to the present time at from 12 to 20 miles west of Her- 
mosillo, on the plantations of Tennaje and Palomos, and at 
Chino Gordo, 12 miles east. Sugar is prodnced from the 
cane, on the coast near the Yaqui River, and at San Ignacio 
and Ceris. The average yield of wheat is 250 to 300 from 
one bushel sown, upon the haciendas of Messrs. Antiserues, 
called th^ Topahui, and upon the haciendas of Hermosillo 
it rates from 150 to 175 from one. Indian corn and beans 
are extensively grown at San Antonio, Santa Rosa, on the 
rivers Sonora and Yaqui and Santa Cruz, and 'other locali- 
ties. The bottorp lands of the Yaqui, Mayo, and lands bor- 
dering upon the Sonora and Santa Cruz rivers, produce 
wheat, also. On the river Yaqui, beans, lentils, sugar-cane, 
cotton, flux, indigo plant, cofiee, tobacco, and various kinds 
of fruits, are raised. Sheep and cattle and horses in immense 
herds are raised, as well as many domestic fowls. The to- 
bacco has a narrow leaf, owing to the lack of proper culti- 
vation. 

Extensive salt-pits are also situated near the mouth of the 
river Yaqui, on the coast. In the same place, and in the 
mouth of the river Yaqui, are located the great oyster-beds 
of common and pearl oysters. The distance from Coccori 
to Cochori is about 90 miles, across the valley of the river 
Yaqui. The whole of this tract of land is susceptible of a 



26 

high degree of cultivation. We will give, hereafter, a 
special description of this region. The soil is here moist 
and alluvial, capable of raising all the productions of the 
temperate and tropic zones. The irrigation is produced by 
annual overflows of the river, and suffices for the produc- 
tion of wheat, maize, and every class of productions yet ex 
perimented upon. This section may well be compared to 
the rich lands qi Egypt lying along the banks of the Nile. 
Immense sugar plantations may be here established, and 
produce fortunes for the possessor. The best portion of this 
land has been granted by the republic to a gentleman re- 
siding in Mexico. Near Altar, on the Magdalena or Altar 
river, pomegranates, figs, and grapes are raised, and immense 
herds of horses and cattle are seen grazing in the vicinity; 
also extensive ranchos that are exceedingly fertile are here 
located. 

In the northern part of the state, near Santa Cruz, is lo- 
cated a beautiful yalley, clothed in verdure the year round. 
It is well watered by the Santa Cruz River, that takes its rise 
from a perpetual spring located t > the north of the valley. 
Immense quantities of stock are here raised, and all kinds 
of grain, especially wheat, which is of excellent quality. It 
also produces the best red pepper of the state, and its hides 
find a ready market. The distance from Santa Cruz to 
Villa de Guadalupe, by way of Occua, Santa Ana, Santa 
Marta, San Lorenzo, and Magdalena, is 120 miles. When 
heavy clothing is necessary at Santa Cruz, f3ther parts of the 
state are subjected to immense heat. Many s\;famps are 
in the vicinity, which produce fevers. 

The Presidio of Bacuachi raises cattle, sheep, and horses, 
and produces good wheat, which is mostly grown, owing to 
the early frosts. Near the Presidio of Fronteras, the lands 
produce excellent wheat, maize, etc.; also, delicious peaches, 
apples, and the famous bergamot pear. A creek runs 
through this valley, which is used t^ irrigate the neighboring 
lands. Wild game is abundant in the neighborhood. The 
plains adjacent are all fertile and well watered. The climate 
is cool and healthy, and would be an excellent place to es- 
tablish a colony. Indeed, the whole of the north-eastern 
part of the state presents advantages that no other part of 
the state combines. It is well timbered, has abundance of 
water, and is one of the richest mineral regions of the state. 

To convince one of the remarkable resources of the state, 
a visit to the Hacienda de la Alameta, fifteen miles from 
Hermosillo, owned formerly by the Artazernes, will be suf- 



27 

ficient to satisfy the most skeptical. On the Alameta are 
miles of wheat, corn, and sugar-cane, and cotton. On this 
hacienda is erected a flour-mill of the best description, with 
abundance of water power, and a sugar-mill and works, a 
manufactory of blankets — the wool of which, and the dye- 
stuffs, are grown on the place. A wagon manufactory, car- 
ried on for the sole use of the hacienda, is also located" in its 
limits. Tobacco also is produced of excellent quality. Or- 
anges, lemons, pomegranates, and other tropical fruits of de- 
licious flavor are grown in abundance. These places are 
simply principalities, where a man has all the products of 
the earth under tribute and at hand. The large cotton-mill 
near La Labor, at San Miguel, was offered to San Francisco 
capitaHsts on liberal terms, but was purchased by the 
Ortizes of Hermosillo. The cotton is raised at its very door. 
Lidigo, brazil-wood, cochineal, and other dye-stuffs, grow 
spontaneously on the Yaqui and Mayo rivers; also coffee of 
the best quality. 

The agricultural resources we thus see are rich beyond 
that of any state in the Republic of Mexico. If the state 
were well settled by an energetic class of immigrants, the 
future of this famous state would be of the most flattering 
character. We anticipate jus such an immigration on the 
completion of the Southern Pacific and i~-anta F6 Railroads. 
We shall hereafter give some attention to the railroads of 
the state. 



CHAPTER m. 

Guaymas. 

The port of Guaymas is situated on the Gulf of California, 
about sixty miles above the mouth of the river Yaqui, in lati- 
tude 27 deg. 22 min. north, and longitude 104 deg. 30 min. 
west of Cadiz. It is completely sheltered from the sea, and 
is one of the best harbors on the Pacific. The entrance runs 
north and south, and is formed by the island of Pajaras on 
the east, and the islands of San Vicente, Pitayas, and Tierra 
Firma on the west. There is also another entrance, called 
Boca Chica, formed by the island of Pajaras on the south, 
and the beach of Cochin on the north. The length of the 
bay is from four to five miles. The bottom is muddy, and 



28 

when vessels remain for some time it is necessary to sight 
the anchor every fortnight. The depth of water at the 
island of Pajaras is seven fathoms, which gradually decreases 
to two, along the side of the mole. The latter, according 
to the opinion of mariners, is one of the best on the Pacific, 
excepting that of Callao. The depth of water at the an- 
chorage is three fathoms ; and vessels drawing fifteen feet 
are loaded, discharged, and hove down with facility. There 
are three landing-places, but no fortifications, although 
there are several points well suited to the purpose. The 
tides are irregular and uncertain, being influenced by the 
winds from the gulf. In time of full and new moon tbey 
rise and fall eighteen to twenty inches ; and in the autumnal 
equinox, about four feet. Sailing-vessels are often delayed 
by calms in passing up the gulf to reach the harbor ; but 
since the era of steamships has arrived, it will have no appre- 
ciable eflfect on the commerce of the. port, save only with 
sailing-vessels. The harbor abounds in various kinds of 
delicate fish and shell-fish. The latter comprises the shrimp, 
crab, lobster, oyster, and mussels of difiierent kinds. The 
town is situated on the north of the bay, and is surrounded 
by a range of hills of moderate height, which leaves but one 
single entrance from the land side. There is but one prin- 
cipal street, called " Calle Principal," from the entrance to 
the Plaza ; the others being short and narrow. The soil is 
dry and rocky. The climate is not severe in winter ; but 
the north and north-west winds blow with great violence, 
and cause much inconvenience. The summer heat is exces- 
sive ; the thermometer occasionally rising up to 104 deg. in 
the shade, and never falling below 90 deg., from June to 
September ; and when the north wind blows, during this 
season from the dry and parched land lying adjacent and 
north of the city, it is so dry and parching in its effects that 
it ruins the finer articles of furniture. The health of the 
place is good. Water, for drinking, is drawn from four pub- 
lic wells on the skirts of the town, which is carried in carts 
and on the backs of donkeys, in leather bags. There are 
no trees in Guaymas but a few stunted ones in the Plaza. 
In the suburbs is a large orange-grove planted by Mr. John 
A. Eobinsou of this city, who resided some fifty years in 
Sonora. The grove is now owned by Mr. iT. Graft", of Guay- 
mas. Wood is scarce, and is brought from nine to fifteen 
miles from the interior ; also from the river Yaqui in boats, 
by the Indians, and constitutes the only fuel ; it is sold by 
the " carga," or load. There are two kinds of carga — the 



29 

" burro," or donkey carga of 150 pounds ; and "mule " carga 
of 300 ; 50 sticks, or billets, as thick as the wrist, are 
counted out, 18 inches long, for the "burro" carga, and 
sell for 25 cents per carga ; and the same number of twice 
that length for the "mule" carga, and a corresponding 
price is demanded. The wagon-i used are the latest im- 
proved, although one sees occasionally the awkward cart 
coming in from the ranchos with wheels hewed or sawed o3 
the end of a log. The houses are mostly adobe, with here 
and there a substantial brick building. There are about 
one-half 'dozen wholesale importing houses, and quite a num- 
ber of retail houses. The former import direct from Europe 
and the United States. Lumber is scarce, and is brought 
from San Francisco and Puget Sound. It sells from thirty 
to fifty dollars per thousand. Lumber is admitted free of 
duty. There are no banks either in Guaymas or in the State 
of Sonora ; and business is carried on with foreigners by ordi- 
nary bills of credit, and by drafts on San Francisco, London, 
Hamburg, and Paris banks. The principal business firms 
are Aguiiar & Co., Sandoval & Bulle, Domingo Carrez, G. 
B. Fourcade, W. Iberri, Arvillez & Co., J. J. liodgers, Luis 
Jarequi, Ramon Carrizosa, Aguayo Bros., Echiquyen & Esco- 
bos, and some others, who do a large wholesale as well as 
retail trade. 

An agency of Wells Fargo is the only American institu- 
tion finding a foothold in Sonora. The American Consul is 
also stationed at Guaymas. There are quite a number of 
hotels, among which might be mentioned, " Cosmopolitan '' 
and "Hotel de Guaymas." 

There is also a shoo manilfactory, a soap factory, an ice 
factory, one Roman Catholic church, and public and private 
schools. It is not generally known that compulsory educa- 
tion is one of the Mexican institutions. Courts of the first 
and second instance, a hospital, and a railroad depot, are 
also found in Guaymas, of A. T. & S. F. R. R. The popuUiT 
tion is about 5,00 J. The Atchinson, Topeka, and Santa Fe 
Railroad, called the Sonora Railway, commences at Ardilla 
Island, so called, and runs north, crossing a bridge across a 
portion of the bay near the old rancho of Guaymas. The 
land is level beyond this point ibr ten miles, and no grading 
is necessary. The completion of this railway will add to the 
commercial importance of Guaymas, and it will open up 
one of the richest portions of the Republic. Capital is flow- 
ing along the line of the railroad, and new towns are being 
established with the accustomed energy of pioneer settle- 
ments. 



30 

East of the town, the country is more adapted to agricult- 
ure and grazing. East and south-east, commencing about 
sixty miles distant, are located the rich bottom lands of the 
Yaqui River, which supply the town with fowls, sheep, and 
grain. Flour and meat are brought from the interior; San 
Antonio and Santa Rosa furnishing corn and beans for the 
Guaymas market. Hides and bullion, flour, and, in fact, 
nearly all the exports of the state, are shipped at this point. 
There are two Justices of the Peace, a judge of the first in- 
stance, and a prefect and board of aldermen. The custom- 
house is very much lacking in store-houses and offices. The 
future of Guaymas is yet to come, through the energy and 
industry of foreign capitalists and immigrants. This will 
remain the port of the state on the gulf, and it will hold its 
influence upon the commercial relations of Sonora. It will 
eventually be the most important town in the state. The 
railroad will soon connect it with San Francisco and the East. 
Another road is in contemplation, connecting it with Mazat- 
lan in the state of Sinaloa, and from thence to the City of 
Mexico, which we will notice more particularly hereafter. 
A new port, La Libertad, above Guaymas, has been opened, 
giving an immediate outlet to the valuable district of Altar 
and north-eastern Sonora. A considerable amount of east- 
ern capital has been invested in Guaymas and landed prop- 
erty adjacent. The foundries of San Francisco are turning 
out engines, mills, and costly machinery for the several 
mines owned in part here. The steamship lines established 
between San Francisco and Guaymas and Mazatlan are 
carrying this machinery to those ports, and from there trans- 
ported to the interior. A new steamer has lately been 
built for the gulf trade above Guaymas. 

Alamos. 

The city of Alamos is situated some 240 miles south-east 
from the port of Guaymas, on the direct road by way of 
Buena Vista, on the Yaqui River. The town is situated in 
a rolling or hilly country, at the base of the Sierra Madre 
mountains, and is devoted principally to the mines in the 
vicinity, furnishing supplies to all the surrounding region. 
The population is about 5,000. We will give a more par- 
ticular description of the mines in this district hereafter. 

There is much business done here with Chihuahua, and 
the northern part of Sinaloa. The principal business houses 
are Thomas Robinson Bours, Vincente Ortiz & Hijos, and 
A. Goycoolea & Co. 



31 

Altar. 

Altar is a small mining town of about 2,500 inhabitants, 
and was formerly called Santa Gertrudis del Altar, and it is 
eometimes now called Guadalupe. It is watered by a small 
stream called Rio de la Assampcion, branching from the 
Altar or Magdalena river. The stream is insufficient for 
irrigation in the dry season. The town is situated near the 
banks of the stream upon a plain about 80 miles northeast 
from the gulf coast, and about 100 miles from La Libertad, 
which is located southeast on the coast. The plains on the 
west are dry and sandy, and are a part of the great Colorado 
desert, which extends down the coast near Lobos, about 50 
miles distant in a south-west direction. The discovery of 
mines of gold and silver in the vicinity of Altar gave it a 
great impetus at one period in its history. It is mostly 
built of adobe houses, and contains several retail shops, one 
church, two justices of the peace, a prefect, and judge of the 
first instance. The town is garrisoned by a few soldiers, and 
the streets are irregular. East of the town are situated 
ranchos exceedingly fertile and abundantly watered. The 
place is distant from Santa Cruz about 120 miles, which lies 
in a north-east direction by way of Magdalena and Arispe. 
Santa Magdalena is about 70 miles distant. The latter 
town is also called San Ignacio, and is located due east of 
Altar, in a beautiful valley. The number of inhabitants is 
about 3,000. 

The stage connects at Magdalena with Hermosillo on the 
south-east and thence to Guaymas, and on the north with 
Tucson by way of Tombstone and Benson, Arizona. 

Hermosillo. 

Hermosillo is the largest town in the State and numbers 
about 12,000 inhabitants. It is situated in a valley about 
three and a half leagues, or about ten miles in length and 
five in breadth, sheltered on the north by valleys, hills, 
and on the west by the range of hills called "Chanate," and 
on the east by the "Cerro de la Campana" — hill of the bell 
— so-called because its rocks, when struck together, produce 
a sound similar to that of a bell. The base of this hill is 
bathed by a small stream or river called the Sonora, run- 
ning from east to west, which is sufficient to irrigate the 
lands between San Juanica and Chanate, cultivated by the 
inhabitants of the city, and of the pueblo of Ceris, which is 



32 



in sight to the south; the said lands being in length, from 
east to west, 12 to 15 miles. 

A large aqueduct passes through the middle of the settle- 
ment, which serves for irrigating the neighboring lands. 
Another passes near the liver and Uie Cerro de la Campana, 
and a third divides tlie city north and south, furnishing 
water to the houses and orchards of orange, citron, lime, 
and iig trees, [omegranates and peach trees in the neigh- 
borhood, as well as immense fields of wheat, corn, and 
other cereals. The average annual quantity of its agricult- 
ural products reaches to about 70,000 bushels of wheat and 
about 300,000 bushels of Indian corn, and au immense quan- 
tity of other cereals. Largo vineyards of grapes, from 
which brandy and wine are produced, and plantain trees of 
enormous growth, mingle with the rich landscape. The 
wine produced is hard to keep, owing to its tendency to 
sour, and it is mostly manufactured into brandy or aguadi- 
ente. The Teunage and Paloraos cotton plantations are 
located from twelve to twenty miles west of the city, and at 
the Chino Gordo, about twelve miles east. Sugar-cane has 
not been very successfully grown in this vicinity ; but at 
San Juaiiica and Ceris it is raised in small quantities. The 
capital of the State is located here, and the Legislature 
meets biennially, the same as under the Constitution of 
California. The Constitution of the State of Sonora is 
mostly copied from the old Constitution of Cahfornia. The 
streets of the nity are kept clean and are well paved. The 
principal street is called the "Callc Principal," the same as 
in Guaymas. The public buildings are, the capitol, the 
mint, the assay er's office, and municipal buildings, includ- 
ing the prison and public school, and one or two churches. 
The school is held in a building purchased by the city, and 
consists of two departments, male and female. The number 
of pupils is about GOO. Pubhc examinations are held every 
six months. 

There are several hotels. The principal ones are, the 
"Iturbide," " ISTacional, " " Cinco do Mayo," and "Cosmo- 
politan." All are one-story adobes, with a court in the 
center, where the guests are obliged to sleep in tiie summer 
season. The houses are nearly all one-story adobe build- 
ings, with occasional brick residences and buildings. A 
new Catholic church is in course of construction. The 
principal plaza, in front of the church, is the most attract- 
ive feature of the city, and is set with orange trees and 
evergreens and covered with lawn grass, with enticing paths, 



33 

meandering through flower beds, and bordered with orange 
trees, which afford an excellent shade. Ic is kept open ail 
the time, and is provided with convenient seats for the 
leisure-taking Sonorians. Ad eje-witness pronounces it, in 
" size, beautv, and arrangement, as excelling any in S.in Fran- 
cisco." The whole is surrounded with a very prettj- irou 
fence. In the center is a grand stand, from which music is 
wafted upon the evening breeze Thursday aad Saturday 
nights, on which occasions it is the favorite resort of the 
people of the city. The ladies of Sonora are very beauiif al, 
and, indeed, the town is known as the place of beautiful 
women. 

The ladies of Hermosillo of the higher class never go on 
the street with their faces uncovered. The '• mantilla" of 
rich and gorgeous material is very gracefully thrown over 
the head, and one portion, with that indescribable driipery 
for which the Spanish ladies are noted, is carelessly thrown 
across the lower part of the face, conceahng the features, 
and over the shoulder, while the beautiful eyes, some lus- 
trous black and others of blue, only are revealed to the gaze 
of the spectator, as they float along with that grace of car- 
riage and modest demeanor for which the Spanish ladies are 
60 celebrated. The latest styles from Pads are ordered, 
and ^'orth has many customers throughout the repubhc. 
The descendants of the ancient Castilians are lo be seen in 
blondes as well as brunettes ; and although the taste of the 
people is generally in favor of bright colors,. still fashion has 
been wielding her scepter in Mexico as well as in the United 
States. 

Hermosillo is celebrated, as well as the rest of the state, 
for the fecundity of its women. It is not unusual to see a 
family with from 15 to 25 children. As an instance in point, 
there is a lady residing in Hermosillo weighing 260 pounds, 
tall and handsome withal, in spite of her corpulence, who is 
the last of a family of 23 children. This fact is vouched for 
by a well-known citizen of this city. Another gentleman, 
an American by birth, and at one time a prominent citizen 
of Guaymas, but now residing in this city, married a Span- 
ish or Mexican lady, and is the fortunate father of no less 
than 17 children. The children of Sonora go almost naked, 
and thrive remarkably well, since the statement of Velasco 
that there is a great mortality among children, to which we 
have already referred. The prominent citizens even dress 
their children only with a shirt, hat, and boots. 

The business of the place is confined to the j ort of Guay- 



34 

mas and the interior of the state. There are about 30 shops 
and mercantile estabhshments in the city. The town is the 
favorite resort for travelers through the state. The princi- 
pal business men of the place are the Ortizes, Camous, Pes- 
t^uiera, liuix & Mascareuas, Carlos Maneti, Alvistiqui & 
Alatorre, and Antonio Calderon. Most *^i these business 
houses import direct from Europe and the United States. The 
houses of Ortiz and the Camou Bros, are probabl}' as strong 
financially as any in the republic. The Ortizes, besides 
owning a large number of haciendas, comprising several 
hundre i thousand acres, stocked with immense herds of 
cattle and horses and flocks of sheep, and several of the best 
mining properties of the state, own the large cotton-mill, 
called ''Industria Sonorense," which employs about 300 men 
and women; also a sugar-mill and tannery. All these mills 
are located at Los Angeles, on the San Miguel River. The 
Camou Bros, own several large haciendas, also, with their 
thousands of cattle and horses, mules, sheep, and large mines. 
They also own the steam flour-mill, located at the city of 
Hermosillo, and another at El Molino Rancho. The town 
of Hermosillo is orderly, and the police regulations good. 
There is a very good market-place for the sale of meat and 
vegetables, but no bakeries, such as are seen in the United 
States, in the city. Water is found in abundance in wells, 
at the depth of 20 or 30 feet. Wood is plentiful, and brought 
from the timber, about two or three miles distant. A natu- 
ral cement stone is within the town limits, that is easil/ 
•quarried, being soft, until it hardens on exposure. It may 
be quarried and used for building purposes. There is also 
•a fine clay, used in the manufacture of brick, in the vicinity. 
There is also a shoe factory and wagon factory, and plenty 
of carpenter and blacksmith shops, etc., worked by foreigners. 
Wardrobes and other pieces of furniture are manufactured 
in the town. 

The railroad now being built from Guaymas will add to 
the business energy of the city, and its future is assured as 
the most important inland city in the State. There is a club 
in the city called the " Casion," of about one hundred mem- 
bers, of the principal citizens of the place, located in the 
former magnificent residence of Gov. Pesquiera ; also a 
theater ; and society is of the gayest during the sessions of 
the Legislature, when balls and receptions are quite frequent. 
Thtre is no gas in the city ; but an attempt is being made 
to organize a company for that purpose. The streets and 
incuses are lighted by lamps. Seuor Falizardo Torres is the 



35 

superinteiident, and Mr. Edward Norman is the cashier of the 
mint which is located here. This mint and those of Sinaloa, 
Chihuahua and Dtu-ango, are leased to an English company. 

Hermosillo is the centre of the richest mining and agricul- 
tural district in the State, and is the distributing point for the 
supply of numerous mines and haciendas surrounding it. The 
principal merchants are Germans, who are doing a large and 
prosperous business. A view of this part of the State 
may be enjoyed from the summit of the Cerro de la Campana, 
which lies within the city limits. 

The Sonora railway runs from Guaymas, on the Gulf of 
California to this city, and thence northward through the 
Yalley del Bar*ica, passing the City of Magdalena, and 
from thence through the Valley of the Santa. Cruz to 
Kogales on the border, and connecting with the Southern 
Pacific at^ Benson, Arizona.; The distance from Benson to 
Guaymas is 352 miles, making a run of about 20 hours, or at 
the present time, of 19 hours and 40 minutes. 

Besides the natural growth of travel over the line of this 
road in the increase of trade, we predict an immense travel by 
tourists over this line as well as over the Mexican Central. 
For the benefit of the tourists, we call their attention to the 
wonderful Aztec ruins lately discovered about four leaaiues 
southeast of Magdalena. These ruins consist of a mammoth 
pyramid, and a mountain palace. The pyramid has a base of 
1350 feet, and rises to the height of 750 feet, with a winding 
roadway from the bottom leading up an easy grade to the top, 
wide enough for carriages to pass over, which is said to be 
twenty-three miles in length : the outer walls of the roadway 
are laid in solid masonry from huge blocks of granite in 
rubble work, and the cncles are as uniform and the grade as 
regular as they could be made at this date by our best 
engineers. The wall, however, is only occasionally exposed, 
being covered by debris and earth, and 'overgrown with plants 
and trees, giving the pyramid the appearance of a mountain. 
The mountain palace lies to the east of the pyi-amid, and is 
honeycombed by hundreds of rooms cut in the solid rock, with 
hieroglyphics on the walls, and innumerable stone relics are in 
and about the rooms. The size of the rooms ranges from 6 by 10 
to 16 by 18 feet, and are cut even and true, with an entrance 
at the top. The ceiling is about 8 feet high. The rooms are 
one above the other, to three or more stories high. Here is a 
rare chance for some American archaeologist. 

The increase of the sale of mines promises well for the State, 
no less than six mines, said to be valuable, ranging in 



36 



price from f200,000 upwards, having been sold to New 
York and Chicago parties in the last six mouths, and more 
are coming every day. 

"For the gold mine of Los Mulatos, $1,000,000 has been 
refused." 

The distance from Ilermosillo to Ures is about fifty miles, 
situated north-east, and to Arispe, 150 miles north-east of 
Ures, and Santa Cruz, about 250 miles ; thence 170 miles to 
Tucson by way of Magdalena, distant 300 miles, and is 
about 100 miles by stage from Guaymas. 

Ures. , 

This town was formerly the capital of the State, and is 
Bituated in a most beautiful valley, stretching from east to 
west, the soil of which is exceedingly fertile and suitable for 
the production of all kinds of fruits, excellent wheat, sugar- 
cane and cotton of superior quality. The eovirous are 
picturesque and pleasing to the eye of the visitor. It is 
located on the Sonora River, and on the road from Ilermo- 
sillo and Alameda, a road lined with trees on each side 
similar to the Alameda between San Jose and Santa Clara in 
this State : the road in this instance oeing bordered with 
trees on either side for four miles, and presents an elegant 
drive for the residents of Ures. 

The town originally was environed with numerous 
creeks that threatened it with inundations, when it was re- 
moved upon a neighboring plateau. The town is not so 
large as Ilermosillo, yet its neat and elegant gardens of rare 
and beautiful flowers, lime, orange, and citron groves, 
make it a gem of a little city. There are some very sub- 
stantial residences of brick scattered here and there among 
the adobe houses, and even elegant residences, among 
which may be mentioned Gov. Pesqueira's residence, hand- 
somely fu rnished. A large orchard is attached to his resi- 
dence and grounds, with orange, lime, lemon, peach, and 
olive trees bearing finely, besides an extensive vineyard. 

Since the capital of the State was removed to Hermosillo 
the population has shrunk from 10,000 to 5,000. There is 
quite a rivalry between the two cities, and the dispute over 
the capital is not yet ended. If the Atchison, Topeka and 
Santa Fd Railroad passes up the Sonora river to El Paso, it 
will pass through this place. There is a vast agricultural 
and mining country around and adjacent to the city, and 
business is quite extensive. There are some heavy com. 



37 

mercial firms in the city, among which may be mentioned 
Lauro Morales, Joaquin Villaes, Cusa & Co., Francisco Iler- 
nandez, Manuel Morales & Co. and Francisco C. Aguilar. 
The climate is much cooler at Ures than at Hermosillo, and 
one is able to sleep within doors. Among the important 
haciendas of arable land may be mentioned, Santa Rita, 
Molino, Guadalupe, Tc pahui and others. There are no im- 
portant public buildings except certain small houses pur- 
chased during the administration of General Urea to form a 
palace, a penitentiary or House of Correction. Excellent 
stone for building is in the neighborhood of the city. The 
principal hotel is the Gubion, kept by a Frenchman. 

The Rancho of Gov. Fesquiera, called Las Delicias, is lo- 
cated about 60 miles distant by way of Canada Andia, El 
Puertecito, El Molinate, Soqui, San Jose, La Estancia, La 
Concha and Baviacora. The last named town was once an 
important place, with a population of 3,000, and is situated 
in a pretty little valley one mile from the Sonora River, 
in one of the most fertile and beautiful districts of the 
State. 

The grounds of the hacienda of Las Delicias is fenced in 
and laid out with orange and lime groves and flower gar- 
dens, containing rare flowers. The hacienda consists of a 
little over 30,000 acres of arable land, and about one-fifth 
is first-class agricultural land, devoted to the raising of 
wheat, Lidian corn, potatoes, etc.; the balance is very good 
grazing land, covered with alfalfa and gramma grass. It is 
situated in a valley of considerable extent. Gov. Fes- 
quiera has made this hacienda his residence, owing to the 
existence of rich mines in the vicinity, which are owned by 
him, and demand his attention in worldng them. 

Among the reptiles that are found in the State may be 
mentioned the scorpion, whose sting is deadly. Rumor 
says that they are more deadly in the interior than on the 
eoast. 

One citizen near Guaymas was recently bitten by one 
of these reptiles on the hand. He simply twisted a strong 
India-rubber band around his wrist to keep the poison from 
communicating to the rest of the system, and took some 
ammonia, and the wound soon healed, without any serious 
result following. Strong spirits are generally used to work 
oft' the virus from the system. 

Santa Cruz is the most northern town of Sonora, distant 
about 120 miles from the boundary line of Chihuahua and 
ten to fifteen from the boundary line of Arizona, and situ- 



38 

ated on a road direct to Guadalupe or Altar, which passes 
through Occua, Santa Ana, Santa Marta, San Lorenzo, 
Santa Magdalena, or San Ignacio, Teneuate, Imuris, and San 
Lazaro. The population is about 800. The town is located 
in a beautiful valley, clothed in verdure the entire year, in 
latitude 32 degrees 15 minutes north, and in a region that is 
pronounced to be the best agricultural region of the State, 
outside of the bottom, lands of the rivers Yaqui and Mayo. 
It is also the best timbered of any portion of the northern 
part of the state, and in other respects presents advantages 
to the settler. Indeed, the valley of Santa Cruz, with its 
adjacent districts, where there are several rich and highly- 
cultivated haciendas and missions, must become the future 
granary of Arizona. The Santa Cruz River rises in a broad 
vaUey, or rather plain, north of the town, and passes the 
base of a mountain range through an open country, studded 
with oaks, into an open plain covered with luxuriant grass, 
without tree or shrub. It then passes between a low range 
of hills into the valley where the town is located. The 
river then flows south nine miles to San Lorenzo — a consid- 
erable ranch — and then takes a north ei^ly course, winding 
its way through a beautiful valle^^ until it is lost across the 
line into Arizona, in the desert plain or sands some ten or 
fifteen miles north of Tucson. It is about 150 miles in 
length. Its width varies from 20 to 100 feet, and during dry 
seasons portions of it disappear. This valley was traversed 
by the earliest Spanish explorers in 1535, seduced by the 
flattering accounts of Cabela de Vaca. 

Marco de Niza and Coronado led their deluded adventur- 
ers through it in search of tlie famed cities of Cibola, north 
of the Gila River ; and before 1600, its richness having 
been made known, it was soon after occupied as missionary 
ground. Remains of several of these missions still exist. 
The Mission Church of San Xavier del Lac, erected during 
the last century, was the finest edifice of the kind in Souora. 
Tumacacori, a few miles south of Tubac, was the most exten- 
sive. The towns and settlements of the Santa Cruz valley, 
across the line, in Sonora, are, Santa Cruz and San Lorenzo. 
The lands of this valley are suitable for stock-raising and all 
kinds of grain, especially wheat, which is produced of ex- 
cellent quality. 

Bacuachi. 

The town or Presidio of Eacuachi is located about 50 
miles south-east from Santa Cruz, on the road to Arispe, 



39 

whicli is located on the Sonora River. It was at one time 
rich in cattle, sheep, and horses; but the Apaches swept 
them away, and the town became almost a heap of ruins. 
It is located in a very fertile valley, near the base of a range 
of mountains on the west, on the Sonora River, that rises in 
a valley north of the town and across the boundary line, in 
JS'ew Mexico. It also lies in a straight line drawn from the 
boundary line between Arizona and ISTew Mexico, and is 
distant from the boundary line of the United States about 
40 miles within or near the lower part of the prohibited 
belt. There are gold mines in the neighborhood of marvel- 
ous richness. The rich placers on the Sonora not being very 
distant, great quantities of this precious metal was extracted 
from the mines in the vicinity, of twenty-two carats fiuCc 
The miners were driven off by the Apaches, and the minea 
were, consequently, abandoned. The gold is coarse, and 
pieces have been found weighing twenty-five marcs. These 
mines might be made to yield a magnificent return if they 
were opened. The future of this mining district is just to 
Dpen, since the suppression of the Apaches. A colony of 
miners will here find a rich field; for the whole region is 
rich in minerals, and but awaits the hands of man to develop 
their vast resources. This locality has been peculiarly ex- 
posed to the incursions of the Apaches, and for that reason,, 
its mineral wealth has been withheld from the prospector. 
We predict a tremendous immigration to this point and all 
along the headwaters of the Yaqui River. The climate is 
cool and healthful, and epidemics or fevers are entirely un- 
known, while the soil is of the most fertile character, 
producing wheat, corn, etc., and presents a grazing region 
unexcelled anywhere; and there is an entire absence of 
swamps that are found in the Santa Oruz valley, which 
sometimes induce fevers. There are here two justices of the 
peace, subject to the sub-prefect of Arispe. 

The town of Fronteras is situated in latitude 31 deg. N., 
north-east 01 Bacuachi, distant about 35 miles, and 20 miles 
from the boundary line of 'New Mexico. The t :wn contains 
but one street, at the foot of a creek whose waters irrigate 
the neighboring lands, whicli produce excellent wheat, 
maize, etc ; also, the delicious peaches for which Sonora is 
celebrated, apples, and bergamot pears. The town is sit- 
uated 35 miles north-east of Bacuachi, and the greater 
part of the road is between dense thickets. This point was 
the most exposed to the Apaches of any in the State, but is 
now comparatively safe. The climate is cool and healthy^ 



40 

timber is abundant, and game plentiful. The plains are fer- 
tile and well watered. Two justices of the peace are located 
here. 

Bapispe is situated about 18 miles west of the boundary 
line of Chihuahua, on the banks of a small creek which 
empties into the river Bapepito. It is isolated from all 
other towns, and is situated about 40 miles south of the 
boundary line of the United States at New Mexico, and east 
of Bacuachi about 90 miles. 

The creek passing the town rises in a valley south-east of 
the town and flows north-west into a plain about 20 miles; 
then south-west into the Bapepito, near Oputo. A road con- 
nects this town with Janos in Chihuahua, about 40 miles dis- 
tant. This territory of the Bapispe district contains the 
towns of Guachinera and Baserac, and haciendas Santa Ana 
and Loreto ; it formerly comprised a number of wealthy 
ranchos, but all have been despoiled by the Apaches. Bapis- 
pe possesses excellent grazing lands and abundance of water. 
The population is about 800. They are engaged principally 
in the manufacture of soap and leather. About six miles east 
is located a rich silver mine, that has not been worked much 
on account of the Apaches. 

Arispe is situated south-west of Bacuachi, on the river So- 
nora, in a valley skirting an immense table-land or plain, and 
a range of mountains extending north-east and south-west. 
Extensive silver mines are located south-east in this range of 
mountains, called the Babiconicora and Banamiche ; also, 
south-west, the San Rosalio mine is located, also of silver. 
The hacienda of Las Belicias, owned by General Pesquiera, 
is also situated south-west of Arispe. A road runs from Bacu- 
achi along the river Sonora, in a south-westerly direction, 
through Bacadobabi, Chinapa, Guipaberachi, Ciniriasanta, 
Arispe, Bamori, Sinoquipe, Monteport, Bamanitchi, Hue- 
paca, Mochobavi, Aconche Babiacora, Concepcion, Purete- 
cito, San Francisco, and Ures, distant about 100 miles. The 
same river passes Ures and Hermosillo in the same direction, 
until it is lost in the sandy plains on the coast, south-west 
of Hermosillo, and is about 200 miles long. 

Moctezuma, or Oposura, is situated on .the Soyopa River, 
in a large plain, that extends from the head-waters of the 
river Soyopa, which runs almost due south for about 100 
miles, and then taking a south-easterly course, empties into 
the river Yaqui, about 20 miles further. A road runs from 
Moctezuma, down the Soyopa River to the Yaqui, and thence 
along the Yaqui to Comoripa and Buenavista. This plain 



41 

is oiiG of the largest in the state, and over 100 miles in 
length, and about 40 miles wide at its widest point. In the 
mountain ranges west of the head-waters of the Bapepito 
are situated the silver mines of El Pintos, Sesentero, San 
Pedro, El Rosario, Cinco Senora, El Humacal, and Plomosa. 
South-west of Soyopa, on this river, is located the Mina 
Prieta copper mine, and the silver mines of El Paste, and 
Los Brouces. East of the latter, the La Barranca, and the 
great gold mine called the San Antonio de la Huerta; the 
latter two of which are located near the mouth of the Soyopa 
River. 

Sahuaripa is a small town located on a branch of the 
Bapepito, east of the river of that name, and distant from 
Bacuachi about one hundred and fifty miles south-east by 
way of the road through Bapepito and Oputo, crossing the 
branch of the river ; thence south, along the Bapepito, to 
Cienega, Guainipa, lascotol, and crossing the Bapepito to 
Huasavas; thence to Baca de Huachi, crossing again the same 
river ; thence south-east tojSTocori, on the river" Viejo, which 
empties into the Bapepito south-west about fifteen miles ; 
thence to Palmar, Casa, San Gabrielle, through the silver 
mine of San Felipe to Sahuaripa. 

This region is well watered, and abundance of timber is 
found in the mountains. Several large haciendas are also 
in the neighborhood, along the stream and between the two 
streams ; the stream on the north being the Rio Viejo, 
which takes its rise in the same neighboring mountains on 
the east. JSTorth-east of Sahuaripa, distant about fifty miles, 
is located the great gold mines of Cieneguita and the silver 
mine called the Minas Prietas Yiejas, both of which are lo- 
cated at the base of the mountains ; the Cieneguita being 
north of the latter about fifteen miles. 

A road runs direct from the town through a rancho to the 
Minas Prietas Viejas mine. This is a rich mineral region, 
and will ere long be completely settled. 

The region north of these mines has never been completely 
explored, and has not yet known the tread of the American 
miner. The second main branch of the river Yaqui, called 
the Papigochi or Mulatos, runs south of this region, taking 
a north-easterly course and emptying into the Bapepito about 
fifty miles bouth-west of Sahuaripa. 

Gold placers are located east of Santa Cruz, about forty 
miles; and the mine of La Cananea south-east of Santa Cruz 
thirty miles ; and the Santa Teresa silver mines and San 
Rafael Valle silver mines, forty miles south-west. The 



42 

Planchas de Plata silver mines are located west of Santa 
Cruz about fifty miles. The Altar mine, or mines surround- 
ing Altar, are located in mauj districts. West of that 
place the gold mines of La Basura are located about 
seventy miles, and silver mines north-east of the same mine 
about ten miles. The Cajitos gold mines are located south- 
west of Altar about seventy miles ; and south-west of La 
Basura, the placers of gold Micaray, and Alamo de San 
Fehz, silver, are also located about seventy miles ; also, the 
silver mines of Los Palomos are located on the river Assump- 
cion, south-west of Altar about ninety miles, and about 
seventy miles north of La Libertad, on the coast. South 
of Altar about thirty miles, are located the Alamitos, sil- 
ver, and La ToUena, gold mines, near. The Mina 
Grande silver mine is located about eighty miles south of 
Altar, and Latesote near Cienega, east about ten miles. Ca- 
borca gold mines are located near the same river. Kich 
gold placers are also found west of Altar on the elevated 
plains about one hundred miles distant ; and the Quitovac 
gold mines, which were once rich, about one hundred 
and fifty miles north-west of Altar. So that the town 
may be said to be completely surrounded by mines. 

Rivers Yaqui and Mayo. 

The river Yaqui, or Buena Vista, rises in the Sierra Madre 
Maicova, and takes a south-westerly course through Bapispe, 
Todos Santos, the pueblo of Soyopa, Honavas, Tenichi, San 
Antonio and Comuripa, to the city of Buena Yista, where 
it enters the Yaqui settlement and finally empties into the 
Gulf of California, in front of the pueblo of Rahum. It has 
many branches, and may be said to drain all the region east 
of Arispe, Ures and Hermosillo, to the summit of the Sierra 
Madre range, which divides the states of Sonora and Chi- 
huahua, and north of the river Mayo. 

One of its branches culled the Bapepito rises in the south- 
eastern portion of Arizona; and another called the Papi- 
gochi, or Mulatos, at the base of the Sierra Madre, across the 
boundary line in south-western Chihuahua. It is the largest 
river of the state, and is estimated to be four hundred miles 
in length, from its source to its mouth. Its waters pass 
through the richest agricultural portion of the state, and 
through immense placers of gold, and along the base of 
ledges of silver, copper, galena, and tin ores. 

Its rich bottom lands are the most fertile of any in the state, 



43 

and raise in spots now under cultivation, wheat, sugar-cane, 
corn, cotton,' the indigo plant, tobacco, and the various cer- 
eals. At and near its mouth, where the soil is not under culti- 
vation, immense cane-brakes of a kind of bamboo extend 
'along its banks for about sixty miles. If brought under con- 
trol by proper agriculture, its valuable lands could produce 
immense quantities of all the products that an alluvial soil, 
well irrigated, will produce. The best portion of the lands 
are in possession of the Yaqui Indians, with some exceptions, 
but its lands are so extensive that after reserving sufficient for 
the Indians, millions of acres of arable lands would remain 
to be brought under cultivation. 

Here is an opportunity for colonization that is unrivaled in 
the United States or the Republic of Mexico. The land is 
easily irrigated from the river, and would provide homes for 
colonization of a large population. In time of high water 
the river is navigable for small vessels for from fifty to sev- 
enty-five miles. Flour-mills are located on its banks, owned 
by foreigners — the result of foreign capital and energ3^ At 
its mouth are located the best oyster-beds on the coast of the 
gulf. We are assured by parties who have tested the quali- 
ties of these oj^sters, that they are equal to our best Eastern 
bivalves. San Francisco will soon have the pleasure of test- 
ing them on the completion of the Sonora Railway con- 
necting Guaymas with San Francisco. Packed in ice man- 
ufactured at Guaymas, they can successfully be exported 
direct by rail to San Francisco, on the completion of the 
railroad, thus opening up a new avenue for some enterpris- 
ing gentleman who will take the initiative. San Francis- 
cans would like to try some of the Yaqui 03'sters if they are 
as represented. "We understand that Dr. Charles McQues- 
ten of this city, and Rafael Escobosa of Guaymas, are now 
the bona fide owners of these oyster beds, and the extent of 
their possession comprises one league square in the delta of 
the Yaqui at the old mouth. The oysters are found in the 
sloughs which extend from one to two miles inland. 

The basin of this river at its widest point is about 
ninety miles wide. After the rains have ceased, the 
river is fordable, though still deep until the droughts in 
April, May and June. Near Soyopa, Buena Vista, and 
Honavas, are located a greater proportion of the best bottom 
lands. The salt-pits of the river, located near the coast, 
supply the interior towns, and are considered the property 
of the Yaquis. The annual overflow of the river supplies 
sufficient irrigation for one crop of wheat, maize, beans, len- 



u 

tils, and various kinds of fruit, at the points thus irrigated. 
Cotton, flax, and coftee, are also successfully raised. "We are 
told by Velaseo, the sheep raised upon its nutritious grasses 
attain the size of a yearling calf, and make excellent mutton. 
Beef cattle of the Best quality are raised. At one time the 
Mission of Huirivis alone owned 40,000 head. The tobacco 
raised by the Indians upon the banks of this river is of very 
good quality ; and the plant miglit, with proper cultivatio:i, 
be equal to that of Havana. Immigration to this region 
must be of incalculable value to the state in the increase of 
its productions. 

The river Mayo rises also in the Sierra Madre, and though 
it is smaller, and its bottom lands more narrow than those of 
the Yaqui, yet its fertility is the same, and may produce like 
results proportionate to the extent of its lands that are sus- 
ceptible of cultivation. The Mayo Indians are located on 
its banks. The two rivers are separated by a low range of 
hills or mountains, and the intervening hills are good graz- 
ing lands. Tlie pueblos of the Mayos, from the sierra on the 
east to Conicari on the west, are Macollagui in the sierra, 
Conicari, Camoa, Tecia, ISTabajoa, Cuirimpo, Guitajoa, Echo- 
joa, Santa Cruz, and Masiaca. 

The Yaqui settlements extend from Buena Vista to Belen, 
over a territory of 84 miles in length. A brig might enter 
the mouth of the river Mayo, ancl a harbor is located at the 
port of Loreto, at this point. It was the first settlement of 
the gulf, and renowned for its pearl fishery, which has pro- 
duced splendid fortunes. In the gulf, many large whales are 
sometimes caught, of various kinds; also, sharks of enormous 
size haunt its coasts, to the great danger of the pearl fish- 
ermen, who are Yaqui Indians. They always carry a long, 
keen knife with them while diving after pearls, to defend 
themselves. Ihe " mauta," or blanket fish, also, is another 
great enemy of theirs, and very formidable. It has fins 
like the arms of a man, says a writer, by which it seizes its 
prey. 

The Presidio of Buenavista is located on the laqui Hiver, 
on the main road to Alamos, about 300 miles from Arispe, by 
way of Hermosillo, and about 260 miles by way of the road 
of Matape, which runs along the banks of a stream by that 
name, south of Hermosillo. It is situated upon a small 
rocky promontory or hill, and is, consequently, very hot. It 
claims some importance as a military position, and is sup- 
posed to present a barrier against th^ revolt of the Yaquis 
and Mayo Indians. Its soldiers are poorly supplied and sel- 
dom paid. 



45 

The recent attempts to survey the lands of the Yaqui and 
Mayo rivers have been suspended, awaiting a petition from 
the Legislature of Sonora to the general government to 
supply a force of 1,000 soldiers to keep the Yaquis in sub- 
jection during the survey and location of certain govern- 
ment grants upon those rivers. For this purpose, a return 
grant by the Owners to the general government of a portion 
of the lands is to be made to cover the expense of maintain- 
ing the military in this district. 

The lands adjacent to the town are of the fertile character 
that belongs to the bottom lands of the Yaqui and Mayo 
rivers. From this point, the Yaqui River is navigable 
during tlie greater part of the year, and timber, grain, and 
other productions can easily be transported to Guaymas, 
Mines of gold and silver are located at Cumuripa, Cendra- 
ditas and San Fr.tncisco de Borja, which, when worked, 
yield abundantly. 

The current of the river is rapid at Buenavista and many 
other points. Ore might be transported from this place and 
shijjped from Guaymas. Along the river, above Buenavista, 
there are hundreds of veins of gold and silver that could be 
worked profitably. The placers are located near this place, 
and are said to be very rich. 

The town of San Pedro de la Conquista is situated south 
of Ilermosillo, on the river Sonora, a short distance. 
Cattle and horses are here raised, and different kinds of grain 
grown. There have been no mines of any consequence 
discovered here. The land is well timbered with iron-wood, 
the mesquite, the huayacan, (a very sol id and compact wood) 
and the huevito. An herb is here found, called the "con- 
fituria," which is much esteemed, as possessing medicinal 
qualities, and is said to be used as a specific for hydro- 
phobia. 

The land is fertile, producing wheat and Indian corn or 
maize, beans, pulse, lentils, Ciiili peppers, sweet potatoes, 
etc. Figs are raised in profusion, grapes, peaches, apri- 
cots, pomegranates, quinces, sweet and sour oranges, limes, 
citrons, and the guava. 

Wheat is sown from October to December, and sometimes 
as late a? January, and is harvested from May to July. Two 
crops of beans are raised annually. The first is planted in 
Foi)ruary or March, and the second in July and August. 
Two crops of corn are also sometimes raised, the most 
abundant being gathered in IlTovember and December. That 
gathered in July or August is generally of inferior 



46 

quality. Grain, flour, and other products are transported to 
Giiaymas and other places, in wagons drawn bj mules and 
oxen. 

There are several grist-mills turned by water-power at 
this place, the best grinding from 25 to 30 cargas (of 300 
lbs. each), in 24 hours. Sugar-cane is also raised. The 
climate is healthy, and the population about 1,200. The 
town has two justices of the peace, subject to the tribunal 
of first instance at Hermosillo. 

The Indians and Presidios. 

The Yaqui and Mayo Indians inhabit the cane-brakes on 
those rivers, and are depended upon mostly for laborers all 
through the state. They are not averse to labor, and are 
employed in every capacity. They possess remarkable 
natural abilities, and soon learn the trades of blacksmithing, 
carpentering, etc. They have been known to manufacture 
fireworks, and are skillful players on the harp and violin. 
Their character is resolute, and they are very jealous of their 
lands. They are generally copper-colored and well formed. 
The women are of medium height and corpulent. In some 
of the settlements, the women are exceedingly fair and 
handsome; but these latter are mostly half-breeds. The 
Yaqui, with few exceptions, has but few wants. A cotton 
shirt and drawers for the men, and shawl and petticoat for 
the women, sufiices; while the children run naked, with the 
exception of a cloth ai'ound the loins. Their nature is joy- 
ous, and they are very fond of music and dancing. They are 
suspicious, and a supposition of deception serves as well as 
the reality. They have been known to revolt against the 
government and commit great atrocities. They are brave, 
and have been known to fight steadily for hours against the 
government troops. They shun the society of the whites, 
and only live near them for the sake of employment. Ve- 
lasco says, " They will steal, gamble, and drink, and have no 
generosity or gratitude " — a rather peculiar trait for the 
Indian — yet they work in the mines, till the soil, build 
houses, and perform nearly all the labor of Sonora. They 
alone of all the Indians are skillful pearl-divers ; but so 
"great is their love of robbery," says Francisco Velasco, 
an impartial Spanish writer, " that they abandon any occu- 
pation, however profitable, for the purpose of stealing 
cattle and horses from the ranchos in the neighborhood of 
the river. This they practice even in times of peace." 



47 

But Mr. Andrade tells us that this is not so at present. 
They have greatly improved since the writing of Velasco's 
book. Their population amounts to 13,500 in the state, ac- 
cording to Cubas. 

The May OS possess the same characteristics as the Yaquis. 
Being located on the Mayo, they are called Mayos. The 
Ceris are more allied to savages, are filthy, drunken, and 
bitterly hostile to the whites. They are located by the gov- 
ernment upon the pueblo of San Pedro de Ja Couquista, 
where they have lands assigned to them for their support. 
They are lazy, and dress themselves in either the skins of 
the pelican or a coarse blanket wrapped around the waist. 
Some wear nothing but a strip of cloth about the loins, and 
none wear shoes. They paint their faces in black stripes, and 
many pierce the cartilages of the nose, and append to it 
pieces of a green stone resembling glass. The women per- 
form the greater part of the labor, gathering the crops, etc. 
The men are tall, erect, and generally stout. The women 
are copper-colored, and wear a petticoat made of the pelican 
skin, with the feathers, which covers the form from the 
waist down. They worship the moon, and prostrate them- 
selves, beating their breasts, and kiss the ground on the 
appearance of the new moon. 

The Opatas are more frank and docile, and are friendly 
towards the whites, many of them serving as soldiers. 
They are brave to the last extremity, and have been known 
to withstand an onset of the Apaches outnumbered eight to 
one. They are just and humane in their dealings, and ca- 
pable of a high degree of education. They are the bitter 
foes of the Apaches, showing them no mercy in an en- 
counter. 

The Opatas live in several of the towns, where the mixed 
race predominates, called Opodepe, Cucurpe, Suaque, Acon- 
chi, Babiacora, Arivechi, Santo Tomas, Bacanora, and 
Kuri in the center ; Oposura, Guayavas, Baca de Huachi, 
ijTacori, Mochop, and Oputo in the sierra ; Chinapa, Bacuachi, 
Cuquiurachi, and Cumpas, to the north. The Opatas are 
able-bodied, and as fleet as the game they pursue. Their 
haughty character is illustrated by the following, related by 
Cubas, of a band of them in rebellion : '' Persecuted by 
General Gandara with very superior forces, in consequence 
of an insurrection, they refused to surrender themselves, 
even after each one at his post had shot his last arrow. 
Their captain, with some few who had survived the contest, 
took refuge on the summit of an almost inaccessible mount- 



48 

aiu, and there awaited the approach of General Qandara's 
emissaries, who had intimated their submission. Believing 
themselves humiliated at the demand for the delivery of 
their arms, they declared to ihe envoi's of the general their 
resolution to deliver themselves up to their conquerors, with- 
out abandoning their arms. Upon General Guudara's insist- 
ing in his demands, and they in their resolution, their conduct 
decided him to take them prisoners by force, which they 
avoided by an act worthy of the ancient Spartans, in throw- 
ing themselves over the precipice at the moment the gen- 
eral's troops were ascending the heights." The Opatas are 
most useful citizens, and have on many occasions proved 
their loyalty to the Mexican Government by resisting the 
attacks of the Apaches. They seldom go barefooted, every 
man has a blanket, and every woman a long scarf. They 
are good carpenters, masons, shoemakers, and house-paint- 
ers, and manufacture blankets, shawls, coarse cottons, sad- 
dles, pack-saddles, bridles, etc., and considerable quantities 
of soap. 

The Papajos are numerous, and located in the western 
part of the state, subsisting principally on wild fruits, espe- 
cially the " pitaya, " from which they manufacture a deli- 
cious syrup, and carry it to the settlements for sale in earthen 
jars. In the winter they resort to the settlements of La 
Pimeria to trade, exchanging skins and baskets. This 
tribe is also the sworn enemy of the Apaches. 

The Apaches are divided into the Coyotes or Pinelores^ 
the Tontos, Chiricahuis, Mimbrenos, Gilenos, Mescaleros, 
Sacramautenos, Mogollones, Carrizallenos, Gipanes, IJ^ara- 
ones, and Kavajoes. They have had no fixed habitation, 
and reside in the mountains and on the plains, and often 
make incursions into Sonora, near Altar and Magdalena, and 
also in the north-east, in the mountains of Chihuahua, near 
Janos, and in Coahuilla. They are the most savage of all the 
Indians of Mexico, and are exceedingly fleet, both in trav- 
ersing the vast plains and in climbing the rugged eminences 
of the mountains ; and, besides, are excellent horsemen. 
Their arms are mostly the bow and arrow ; but some few 
have fire-arms, and a lance with a flint point. They use a 
leather quiver, and a shield of leopard's skin, orname jted 
with feathers and with small mirrors in the center. They 
are cowardly, and only attack unawares ; crafty and treach- 
erous, and scalp their victims. They make use of smoke 
for telegraphic signals. They are fond of hunting deer and 
wild boars, "ci hallos," or Mexican bull^, black bears, wild 



49 

goats, and Rockj Mountain sheep. Their dress consists of a 
strip of linen passing between their thighs, and fastened at 
the waist, and leggings of deerskin vrith fringes, ornamented 
with beads, and garnished with leather strings, and wear 
pendants and ear-rings, and in their hair thej fasten a long 
false braid, adorned with trinkets, shells, or silver buckles. 
The women, who are as active as the men in their habits, 
use very short garments of deer-skin or kid, which thej call 
"tlacalee," with fringes of leather strings, on the edges of 
which are hung casebels, tassels, and red beads. They wear, 
also, a kind of jacket called "bietle," made of the entire 
deer-skin, open in front, ornamented in the same manner. 
They wear moccasins of deer-skin, the same as the men, 
which are called "teguas," and are fastened to the leggings. 
They are all of swarthy complexion, well proportioned, wear 
long hair, and no beard. Both the men and women liave 
very small feet. The women decorate themselves with enr- 
rings of shells, or small green and white stones, resembling 
crystal ; and in some instances the men are decorated in 
like manner. Their huts are simply poles covered with 
grass or skins, and a small door, admitting a grown person. 
If the place is wooded, they encamp at the foot of a tree, 
and cover the branches with grass to protect them from the 
rain ; but generally they live without any protection what- 
ever. Their atrocities are well known, and they have long 
been a terror to the Sonorians ; but the dispersion of Vic- 
torio's band subdued them, with the exception of small rov- 
ing bands, that do not hesitate to attack even the stages, 
as they did but a short time since, near Mesilla, in Xew 
Mexico. Comparative peace may be said to exist, though 
settlers may do well to keep on the lookout, and travel well 
armed. 



DISCOVEEY OF GOLD. 



In 1799, the first discovery of gold in the western part of 
the state was made at San Ildefonso de la Cienegiiilla, about 
forty miles south or south-east of Altar, of which many 
incorrect accounts have been published. This discovery was 
accidental, and occurred as follows : 

_ " A company of soldiers from Altar, on their way to chas- 
tise the Ceris, having gone in a south-east direction, en- 
camped in that neighborhood. One of their number, who 
was strolling about one hundred yards from the camp, 
observed that the bed of a small ditch formed by the rain 
was of a yellowish color, and on further examination, he 
collected a number of pieces of gold from the size of a 
lentil to that of a bean. He reported this to the commander 
of the detachment, who immediately ordered a careful 
examination of the surrounding country, the result being 
the discovery of gold in all parts in greater or less quanti- 
ties. The gold lay upon the surface, scattered like grains 
•of corn. The gambucinos followed its direction to the west 
to the distance of six or nine miles, where they encountered 
a natural ph. nomenon. The beds of all the ravines within 
a circumference of more than 12 miles was covered with 
particles of gold, hundreds of these weighing from one to 
27 marcs, and presenting the appearance of having passed 
through a furnace." — Velasco. 

After the surface gold was exhausted, shafts were sunk 
and tunnels run through a vein of calcareous stone in some 
places, and in others through a stratum of red stone, both 
of which contained gold, and from which large quantities 
were extracted. The mine was actively worked until 1803, 
when a second mine was discovered, called San Francisco, 
21 miles east of Cieneguilla, which is about 40 miles south- 
east of Altar. " This mine proved extremely rich, the gold 
being scattered about on the surface in great abundance, 
■especially in the ravines. In the ravine called San Miguel- 
'©na, the gold was so abundant that three, four, and even five 

50 



51 

marcs were often collected iu five minutes ; the grains being 
the size of a bean. Large lamps were occasionally discov- 
ered. One found by a Yaqui weighed 100 ounces, and an- 
other weighed 28 marcs. Qui to vac, San Antonio, Sonoita, 
El Zone, La Basura, San Perfecto, Las Palomas, El Alamo, 
El Muerto, and Vado Seco, are gold mines discovered from 
1834 to 1841 in the vicinity of Altar." 

Mines of Sonora. 

The mines of Sonora have been worked from time im- 
memorial. The immense number of old mines that have a 
history clouded with early traditions prove the ancient char- 
acter of the mines of Sonora. Some have been known to 
reach back one hundred years, and others have no data to 
determine the first period in their history. The number of 
abandoned mines are considerable, some of which were un- 
questionably exhausted, while others were abandoned on 
account of the ignorance of the miners on reaching ores that 
were refractory or hard to work. Right here it might be 
well to caution American capitalists against buying holes in 
the ground, solely because, at one period in their history, 
they had yielded millions. 

Most of the abandoned mines, or quite a large number of 
them, and of the richest, have been ruined by the class of 
minersof Mexico c;alled "gambucinos, " a poor class who had 
no capital, and were in search of " bonanzas," or rich spots, 
working these solely, and filling the drifts and shafts behind 
them with rejected ores and rubbish, so that, when they 
finished a mine it was almost entirely ruined. In some in- 
stances, they have extracted the pillars of old mines of great 
value, and the walls have fallen in, thus doing an incalculable 
injury to the mines of the state. There is an old Spanish 
Ijroverb that tersely states: "It takes another mine to work a 
mine." 

This is undoubtedly true of every mine abandoned by 
these miners. We use strong language on account of the 
destruction following in the wake of the "gambucinos." 
The warning of Mr. Mowry to capitalists in his valuable 
work on Arizona and Sonora, we herewith quote, and 
leave its lesson with our readers. He says : "As it is desir- 
able that, in the investment of foreign capital there should 
be no error committed at the outset, than which nothing 
would retard the progress of this new mining field more; all 
persons new to the country had better leave abandoned mines 



52 

alone, unless directed to them by persona long resident io 
the country, whose character and veracity are undoubted, 
and who, after the investigation of all the facts, current ac- 
counts, and traditions, have full confidence in some abandoned 
mine or other. There are, undoubtedly, many abandoned 
mines that are well worthy of attention and outlay of capital, 
but strangers are not likely to know at once which of the 
many deserted mines it will be prudent to meddle with. 
Under the present state of things, the safest investments for 
new comers will be those mines that have bona fide owners^ Jor^ 
as long as a mine can be loorkcd according to the custom of the 
count)'!/, it is hardly ever abandoned altogether. The owners 
are fully alive to the value of their j^ossessions, and as they are 
already in a more or less independent position, and always 
in expectation of a sudden fortune, they are not anxious to 
sell unless induced by a fair ofi'er. It is not advisable to enter 
into any arrangement with Mexican miners to furnish capital 
to open up a mine, but it is better to buy the whole at once." 

The Mexican people are shrewd and full of grandiose 
language, extravagant in speech, and due caution in taking 
their description of properties, with some allowance when 
they are anxious to sell, is of the first importance. It may 
be well to remember that where an anxiety to sell is appar- 
ent, that the purchaser will do well to make haste slowly, 
and look further for investment. The properties that are 
being worked, and where a fair examination can be made 
by reliable mining engineers, are the ones to buy. These 
are mostly not for sale, but they may be purchased on a 
liberal otter. Another way to obtain properties of value, is 
to prospect for new mines, and when a discovery is made, by 
" denouncement " a title may be obtained under the laws of 
Mexico that is perfectly valid; and indeed, this is one of 
the safest means toobtain valuable mines; for the whole state 
is rich in veins of gold and silver. In the appendix m-dj be 
found an abstract of the mining laws of Mexico, with direc- 
tions as to the obtaining of properties in the republic. 

As an instance of the unreliability to be placed on repre- 
sentations of the riches of mines that are for sale in Mexico, 
we give the following data : A company of gentlemen of 
this city were induced to open up an abandoned mine, called 
Santa Gertrudis, near Altar, which was represented by the 
parties interested, to be very rich. The vein first discovered 
was narrow, but was followed down on the assurance that it 
would become broader and richer. Extensive plans were 
entered upon; a stamp mill and engines purchased, ready to 



53 

be sMpped as soon as the mine was developed sufficiently to 
warrant the erection of the works. The vein was followed 
for nearly 200 feet, and some $30,000 were expended. The 
result was unsatisfactory and the mine was abandoned; the 
representations being entirely erroneous, to say the least, 
as far as the experiment progressed. Thus, it is easily seen 
that experiments in mines in Sonora are as unsatisfactory as 
in California ; and it is well to be cautioned in advance in 
regard to abandoned mines and properties that are found up- 
on the market. We could point out other instances with simi- 
results. The jmying mines, as a rule, are not for sa?e, though 
there are some exceptions, and no greater mistake can be 
made than to expect a rich mine in as old a mining state as 
Sonora, to be bought for a mere nominal sum. There are 
exceptions, but they are rare; a fair offer has to be made to 
purchase a valuable mine. 

Mining Districts of the State of Sonora, and Location 
and Description of Mines. 

The Alamos mining district is situated some 240 miles 
south-east from the port of Guaymas, on the direct road from 
that point to El Fuerte in Sinaloa, and on the road also from 
Arispe on the north to the same place, and from thence to 
Culiacan and Cosala and Mazatlan. This district is partic- 
ularly rich in silver leads. The principal mines are as fol^ 
lows: The most ancient and richest mine is the Quintera, 
several millions having been taken from it since its discov- 
ery, over 100 years ago. It is of immense depth, and has 
been abandoned, and is worked occasionally by gambucinos, 
and is mostly exhausted. There are many old mines of 
whose origin we can obtain no data, their origin being known 
only by tradition. Among the Promontorio mines in the 
small Ileal of Promontorio, iive miles north of Alamos, may 
be mentioned the Kuestra Senora cle Vabranora, which was 
owned and worked by the family of Almados for the last 
century. Don Jose M. Almado reached a deposit of black 
ores at a depth of 600 feet with surprising results. The 
present owners are an English company, who purchased the 
mine from Mr. Robinson of Guaymas. The ores are reduced 
at the works situated at Las Mercedes, about two miles east 
of Alamos. The Promontorio mines contain the best ores 
in the district. The Promontorio mine, from which the 
mines were named, especially has produced exceedingly 
rich and abundant ores. The Tirite mine, to the south of 



54 

and adjoining the Promontorio, is said to be still richer, but 
its vein is not so wide. It was formerly owned by James 
Brady of Guaymas, who reopened it by running a tunnel 
into the heart of the vein. The pillars in the old shaft and 
drifts were taken out some years ago by Pascual Gomez, 
and two of them yielded $80,000. The Dios Padre mine, 
adjoining the Promontorio on the north, was, prior to 1860, 
owned and worked by Fernando Aduana, son-in-law of Jose 
de Almaclo. In August, 1860, Mr. Andrew J. Wiley from 
California purchased the mine, and associated himself with 
Messrs. W. W. Light, D. Maddox, U. F. Moulton, Skiuke, 
Backus, Beard, Sanborn, Oatman, Robinson, and L. A. Gar- 
net. The mine was reopened by a shaft and yielded very 
profitably. 

The Quintera and Libertad mines are located north of the 
Dios Padre. The Pulpito, on the same lead, was discovered 
by a Mexican, who worked it secretly. In January, 1861, 
Mr. Benjamin Rouutree purchased the rights of both parties 
and associated with himself Messrs. W. W. Light, Johnson^ 
Price, Thos. Finley, Robert S. Stillwell, J. R. Hardenburg, 
and others, and the^'^ proceeded to open up the mine, but 
found it unprofitable and abandoned it. The ISTacharama 
mine is situated nine miles from Alamos, and is one of the 
most celebrated in the district, but it was abandoned on ac- 
count of the influx of water. In 1860 the mine was pur- 
chased by Messrs. W". T. Robinson, J. G. Baldwin, Thomas 
n. Williams, Wm. S, Long, Henry Fouche, and others. 
The mine had the reputation of being rich at the time of its 
purchase. The Vista ]^acacharama mine was purchased by 
Messrs. Robinson, Ira Uatman, Goggins, Bowman and White- 
side, and was called the Sacramento Company's mine. The 
Mina Grande, Europia, Iglesia, and Palomos are well spoken 
of by tradition. The first two were denounced by Michael 
Gray in January, 1860, and afterwards sold to John Heard. 
The Pietras Verdes, 15 miles north of Alamos, and Kar- 
vayez, in the Promontorio, are filled with water. 

There are three large haciendas for the reduction of 
metals in the city of Alamos, called La Aurora, 'La Ubalama, 
and Las Cabras. 

The district or Real of Minas !N"uevas is located about two 
leagues west of Alamos, and contains many rich mines, 
among them, San Josd Ubalama, which is situated six mile? 
ffom Alamos, and was owned by W, J. Hill and E. B. 
Johnson, who erected machinery at the mine to work it. 
Tradition spoke of it as exceedingly rich. The Uescubri- 



55 

doia, Rosario de Talpa, Sambono, and others, are located 
in this district. 

The Eosario de Talpa and the Sambono were once suc- 
cessfully worked by Mr. Robinson of Guaymas, and T. Rob- 
inson Bours, formerly of Stockton, but who now resides at 
Alamos. The San Jose mine is situated six miles from 
Alamos, in this district, and was owned by W. J. Ililland'E. 
B. Johnson, in 1861, who placed machinery at the mine to 
develop its riches, which tradition declared to be fabulous. 
There are many other mines in the vicinity, as we have only 
mentioned the principal ones, and the district is unquestion- 
ably one of the richest in Sonora. 

The mine called Balvaneda, situated in Promoutorio, for- 
merly belonged to Josd Maria Almado. It was formerly 
rich, and yielded -handsomely up to 1861, though the water 
flowing into it caused such trouble and expense that it was 
afterward abandoned. La Europita, in the Promontorio, 
was worked by Don Manuel Salido up to 1861, with good re- 
sults. 

Lead is found in the ores of the Promontorio mines, which 
may be used for smelting, although most of the ore is re- 
duced by mills. La Europita was once one of the richest 
mines of the district, and with Quintera, produced an im- 
mense amount of -silver. These two mines gave to Alamos 
its greatest celebrity. The former was worked up to 1861. 

Although Aduana is generally included in the district of 
Alamos, yet it possesses a group of mines that are distin- 
guished from the Promontorio mines. The A duaila is sit- 
uated about three miles west of Alamos. Li this district, 
which, with that of the Promontorio, comprises an area of 
eight leagues, with the face of a small mountain range in- 
cluded on the south, are located many old and new mines 
over the whole area, which Velasco pronounces, that "with- 
out exaggeration, there is not a hand's breadth of the soil 
which does not contain some vein of the precious metal." La 
Cotera and Santo Domingo, and l!ifacacharama and La Liber- 
tad in the Aduana, were all worked up to 1861. Calesaand 
Los Cangrejos are full of water. 

There are five haciendas in Aduaiia for the reduction of 
ore — one in Talajiossa called Zarragoitas, La Espinosa, and 
the old hacienda of Promontorio; also, two in Minas ISTuevas; 
making eleven in all. 

The district of Alamos contributes very Lirgely to the ex- 
port of silver from Sonora, part of which is exported from 
the port of Santa Cruz de Mayo, south of Alamos, on the 



56 

coast, distant about 100 miles, which is said to be one of the 
favorite points for smuggling bullion out of the state, while 
the larger proportion is carried to Guayraas. 

San Ildefonso de la Cieneguilla. 

This district is located in the western part of Sonora and 
north-west of Ilermosillo about 100 miles, and south-eas of 
Altar the same distance. Scarcely any region equals this in 
its number of veins of gold and silver. Its first mine, called 
Descubridora, was discovered four years after the first pla- 
cers, to which we have referred under the heading of " The 
Discovery of Gold." This mine yielded abundant quantities 
of silver ores, the yield of the poorest being five to seven 
and the best 12 to 15 marcs to the " bulto " of three cargas 
(900 lbs.). Its owner received from it, in less than four 
years, 12,000,000. Fifty small establishments for crushing 
ores were erected and in constant operation, from which 
large profits were realized. The vein was crossed, after the 
mine had been worked for five years, by a species of hard 
rock, called " caballo," which was again repeated. This 
discouraged its owner, and the pillars were removed, which 
yielded $500,000, and supports of strong timber exchanged 
for them; but the gambuciuos soon left the mine in ruins. 
Many other mines were discovered in the neighborhood, 
but none so rich or abundant in ores. Only one exceeded it 
in the quantity of its ores, viz: the Cerro Colorado, in the 
Cieneguita district, six leagues to the east of Cieneguilla, on 
the right of the road to the placers of San Francisco. 

From the appendix of the work entitled "Sonora," a 
translation of Francisco V^elasco's great work, by Mr. Wm. 
F. Nye, published in 1861, we quote the following interest- 
ing fact in relation to the Cerro Colorado mine. He says : 
" The Cerro Colorado mine is situated some eight or nine 
leagues from the city of Alamos, on the bank of the Mayo 
River, and derives its name from the reddish color of the 
mountain in which it is located. It was formerly owned by 
Castro and Don Manuel Salida, and afterwards by Dr. W. J. 
Hill, of Alamos, who sold one-half his interest some few 
months since for |12,000. Messrs. J. S. Garwood, E. D. 
Wheeler, Michael Gray, and others of San Francisco, were 
the fortunate purchasers. The last owner of this mine, Don 
Manuel Salida, took from it more than a million of dollars, 
and, at the time of his death, gavo orders to blow the mine 
up, which was accordingly canned into eftect by his peons. 



67 

The writer visited the mine in company with Dr. Hill; but, 
on account of its dilapidated condition, could not explore it. 
At a depth of 70 feet is a chamber 20 feet in diameter and 
25 feet high, the walls of which, impregnated with virgin 
silver, glittered like diamonds by the light of a solitary can- 
dle. In working the mines of this district, it is not unusual 
to discover spots of exceeding richness, called by Mexicans 
' bonanzas,' and from one of these, from two to three hun- 
dred thousand dollars are frequently extracted." 

Gold Mining Districts. 

The district of San Francisco is located seven leagues to 
the east of Ildefonso de la Cieneguilla, and was discovered 
Oct. 4th, 1803, by Teodoro Salazar, who was searching for 
a mine of which he had received notice. This mine proved 
extremely rich, the gold being scattered about on the sur- 
face in great abundance, especially in the ravines. The 
ravine called San Miguelena was the richest spot, and the 
grains were coarse, being about the size of a bean. Large 
lumps were occasionally found, one of which weighed 100 
ounces, and another 28 marcs. In portions of this mineral 
region the gold was mixed with white quartz, which led to a 
ledge of very rich gold-bearing quartz. Here a mine was 
opened by Teodoro Salazar, and he occasionally struck ex- 
tensive pockets that were very rich. The mine was eventu- 
ally abandoned, and another found one league distant from 
San Francisco, not so rich as the former, but yielding very 
fine gold, of 22 and 23 carats fine. In the Sierra to the 
south, veins were found near the creek of San Bias, a small 
town near the northern border of Sinaloa. The water in the 
creek having failed, this mine was abandoned. The annual 
yield, on an average, of the mine of San Francisco, Velasco 
puts at from $1,000,000 to $5,000,000. Quitovac, San An- 
tonio, Sonoita, El Zone, La Basura, San Perfecto, Las Palo- 
mas, El Alamo, El Muerto, and Vado Seco, w^ere the gold 
mines discovered from 1833 to 1844. Since that time, many 
other mines have been found, bearing both gold and silver. 
The great drawback to the mines of San Francisco, which 
are so rich in gold, is the scarcity of water, which has been 
brought from the river Arituava, 21 miles distant, and com- 
manded fabulous prices. If the waters of the river were 
conducted to the placers, or artesian wells sunk and reser- 
voirs formed, the mines would yield immensely. 

The district of Mulatos is located to the north-east of 



58 



Alamos, and nearly due west of Jesus Maria in Chihuahua, 
upon the slope of the Sierra Madre towards the gulf, and is 
called the Mineral of San Jos^ de Mulatos, which was dis- 
covered in 1806. Two gold mines were here found, from 
which were taken several thousand marcs of gold, 24 carats 
fine. The region is located near the eastern border of the 
state, in tlie pass of Mulatos, about 70 leagues, or 210 miles, 
from Hermosillo. It is said that several millions were ex- 
tracted from these mines. The gold was first found in a 
small stream which descends to the. river below. Adjoining 
this ravine and near the placers, three elevated crests were 
discovered, one of them over one hundred varas in height, 
which were intersected in all directions by small threads or 
veins of gold-bearing white earth, or rotten quartz, that were 
so rich that the ore of inferior quality was sold at $12 and 
$15 per arroba (25 pounds), while the rcibest sold for $200. 
These crests have been extensively worked. The gold is 
nearly pure, the lowest ore being 23 quilates, while it some- 
times reached 3J grains. A number of Indians at first work- 
ed the vein by being suspended by ropes from the side of 
the rocks from the crests above and picking out the earth 
with wooden sticks and knives. The mines were abandoned 
some years ago, but have since been denounced by an Amer- 
ican company^ who are working them so profitably, we un- 
derstand, that they have lately refused $1,000,000 for them. 
The ores are reduced by an extensive stamp-mill, located on 
the Mulatos River, below the mine. This river has some- 
times been called the Aribechi aud Papigochi. 

The district of San Xavier is distant from the port of 
Guaymas in a north-east direction, and about the same dis- 
tance from Hermosillo, approachable from both points by an 
excellent wagon road. This is one of the oldest aud richest 
mineral districts of the state. There are many mines situ- 
ated within a radius of turee miles — namely, Los Bronces, 
owned by Don Alsua of Guaymas; Las Oruzecitas, Las Aguas, 
Senor, Las Cumbres, La Division, La Naguiila, La Barranca, 
Las Animas, La Sierra, and many others. Among the most 
important, Los Bronces may be mentioned, which is work- 
ed by Don Matias Alsua of Guaymas, who has erect- 
ed extensive reduction works, with stamps, barrels, fur- 
naces, etc. His ores are worked by the German or Frey- 
burg process, and the mine has yielded about $1,000 per 
day. Near this mine is located the La Bari^anca, in which a 
vein of coal was found nine feet in thickness. It is supposed 
to be anthracite, but this is denied by some experts, who 



59 

claim it is more of the nature of bituminous coal. "We ex- 
amined a piece of this same coal, and it appeared to Us to be 
Bimilar to the bituminous coal of Pennsylvania.^ 

About 200 yards above the Los Bronces mine is situated 
the Las Cruzecitas, which is owned by the Las Cruzecitas 
Mining Company. It has been extensively developed, and 
ten tons have been raised daily ; and when further devel- 
oped, will yield much greater quantities. The vein, which 
is particularly well defined, increases in width and richness 
as it descends ; and at a depth of 145 feet, the vein was nine 
feet wide. The ore of the pillars is very rich ; while that 
from the mine averaged over $150 per ton, all through. 
The "Petanque" has rich sulphnrets of silver, which are 
extracted from the lower excavations, and assay over $3,000 
per ton. The Company have erected reduction works at the 
mines. La Naguilla is situated on the highest hill in this 
region, in sight of the main road; its ores were formerly 
abundant, and their "ley " in silver, ten marcs to the carga. 
It however filled with water, and although an attempt was 
made to work it out, it was abandoned upon reaching a 
" caballo." Las Animas is also one of the old mines, and is 
now choked with earth ; the " ley " of its ores was four or 
five marcs to four arrobas. Its vein was narrow, but con- 
tained an abundance of ferruginous ore, which, though re- 
jected by the miners in former times, yield three to four 
marcs of silver to the carga. The amalgamating ores are 
also abundant, and of about the same " ley.'' In Los Afur- 
nos, the vein is half a vara in breadth, and was profitably 
worked by Castillo. The mines of La Grande were equally 
rich with the others. The re-t of the ores of San Xavier are 
smelting ores, or reducible by fire, with some exceptions. 
Enormous quantities of silver v/ere remitted to the City of 
LJexico from this district, and prove it to have been very 
rJah. 

" The mine of Zubiate is situated eleven leagues (33 
rules) south-east of Ilermosillo. It was discovered in the 
year 1813. Its first owners were not able to pay their ex- 
penses, and sold out to two persons called Monge and 
Muuoz, who derived a handsome profit from a mine hitherto 
worthless. Muuoz, having acquired sufficient wealth, sold 
his interest to Francisco Monte verde, who continued the op- 
eration, in company with Monge, until the death of the 
latter, who left a large fortune. Monteverde then became 
sole owner of the mine," and worked it up to the time of 
his death, leaving it to his sou, M. Monteverde, ex-Governor 



60 

of Sonora, who is now in this city. " Its average ley did not 
exceed five to six marcs to three cargas of 300 lbs. each, or 
about from $06 to $45 per ton; but occasionally ores are 
found which yield two to three marcs ($3.20 to each marc) 
per arroba of 25 lbs. each, or from $-i80 to $720 per ton. 
Water flows into it, and for some time the sole profits of the 
owner were derived from furnisliing supplies to his work- 
men." Governor Monteverde informs us, that since the 
publication of Francisco Velasco's work on Sonora, from 
which we quote the foregoing, that he has found the mine 
to become very profitable, and it now assays from $80 up to 
$1,000 per ton, having reached ores on a lower level that 
are very rich. This mine is for sale, and can be purchased 
of Governor Monteverde. He also informs us that $12,000,- 
000 have been extracted from the mine since its discovery, 
or in a little over 67 years. 

San Antonio de la Huerta. 

This district is located about 15 miles from San Xavier, 
and contains La Minas Prietas, Musidora, and other valuable 
mines, both of gold and silver. The Minas Prietas was 
purchased of Mr. R. 1). Johnson, of Guaymas, by the Jau- 
nin Bros., of this city, and sold to a company in New York. 
The point of location on the maps of this mine is erroneous, 
and should be at the point marked Haygame, about 85 miles 
south-east of Hermosillo. A new 40-stamp mill is being 
erected for this mine. There was an old 10-stamp mill on 
it, which, with arastras, were used to reduce the ore. 

Cienegulta District. 

The following official report on the Mineral de la Ciene- 
gulta, of Robert L. D'Aumaille, official assayer of Sonora, 
is copied from the valuable work of Mr. Mowry, " on Sonora 
and Arizona"; our object being to give all the information 
available on the mines of Sonora, and also within the limits 
of the states of Chihuahua, Duraugo, and Sinaloa. On the 
mines of this district, his vsport reads as follows : " About 
300 yards from the hacienda is the mine La Carjona, of 
trifling depth. The metal is plombiferous, vein one foot in 
wi6th, and assays $16 to the 100 pounds. The water from 
the rivulet adjoining, has filled the shaft, which is not deep. 
Two miles distant in same direction, lies the hill that con- 
tains the veins of La Chipiona, La Colorada, La Plomosa, 



61 

and another fallen in, whose very name has perished. The 
veins have been opened in many parts by the Spaniards, who 
content themselves almost invariably with sinking shafts for 
the extraction of the superior decomposed ores, abandoning 
the mine on reaching sulphurets, from ignorance of the proc- 
ess for the extraction of silver. In these sulphurets, and 
below the old galleries are situated the present workings. 
La Colorada, on the north side of the spur, is a portion of the 
Veta Madre (or main vein.) The workings are dry and 
firm; the galleries 50 feet in length and 45 in width. An- 
other shaft, 22 feet, is opened 80 feet farther down the mount- 
ain, where the ores are uncovered to the same width. The 
vein in the lower places is about 18 feet in width, in parts 
30; running north and north-west, with an inclination to the 
south-east of about 15 degrees, an excellent course and dip 
in Mexican mines. The assay was $172 silver, per ton, and 
traces of gold. La Chipiona is also upon the Veta Madre; 
vein same direction and dip as La Colorada; shafts, two, 30 
feet apart; depth 30 feet, and partly full of water. The 
vein is 20 to 36 inches; same depth, and quality of metal 
uniform. The ores are more difhcult of reduction, being 
bisulphurets of iron, with a compound sulphuret of silver, 
lead, iron, and copper; by the German process, assays 160 
ounces per ton. The ores of La Colorada by same proc- 
ess, gave 212 to 320 ounces. There is not half the 
superficial excavations of the ancient mines, which have 
been cleaned out from this vein, and the falling in of the 
labores. The vein can be traced 250 yards, across the crest 
of the hill, up to the mouth of the La Colorada. Above the 
main vein is a cross-vein of 4 to 6 inches, cutting it nearly 
at right angles. The ore is said to yield 318 ounces of silver 
per ton. Nine hundred feet distant, in a straight line, in a 
spur of the same cerro, is the adit of La Plomosa; the upper 
workings being badly planned, have fallen in from the pressure 
of rubbish in the old drifts, and the miners have driven a level 
in the solid rock 150 feet farther down. The ores are ar- 
gentiferous galenas, with a matrix of stratified ' calishe,' 
and are said to yield 18 per cent, of lead, and 96 ounces sil- 
ver, per ton, up to 190 ounces. Both this vein and La Chi- 
piona run across the valley and strike the opposite mountain. 
Old mining shafts are seen all the way across at different 
points. These mines can all be drained by a tunnel, as the 
Chipiona debouches upon an abrupt descent, by many hun- 
dred feet. The walls are firm and vein regular, presenting 
every indication of permanence. A quarter of a mile south- 



62 



west of the Yerba Buena, are the mines of Los Tajos. The 
hill-side is covered with the buried workings of the ancients, 
and the superior position of the vein is in a very precarious 
condition. The vein i^ something like one-half a yard in 
width, with a heterogeneous medley of ores. It runs com- 
pletely through the mountain, as very considerable works 
are visible on the opposite side; but whether 'en metales,' 
or not is unknown. 

" The ores are said to yield 60 ounces per ton, but they 
are loaded with titaniferous and zinciferous metals. La 
Descomulgada is situated about a league west of south-west 
of the Yerba Buena. Its matrix is a very hard, silicious 
rock, which crumbles with great rapidity when exposed to 
air and moisture. The vein is said to be wide, and the su- 
perficial ores easily worked, costing $1.00 per 300 lbs., and 
to be easy of reduction. 

" La Yerba Buena is a modern mine, said to have been 
very rich. The mouths have fallen in a few hundred yards 
from the Yerba Buena, on the road to the Descomulgada. 
Nothing more is known concerning it. 

" Las Ostimuris, on the road to Yerba Buena, about half 
way from the Cieneguita, has two open mouths, and is full 
of water, the drifts running under the brook. Mr. Mouge 
says it was abandoned on the outbreak of the Opatas, and as 
the shafts were shallow, the vein wide, and the ores yield- 
ing 450 oz. per ton, he entered into a contract with a skill- 
ful miner and put up whims and machinery for drain- 
age. His partner died just as they were approaching com- 
pletion; the Apaches drove off their animals; and, being ig- 
norant of mining, he abandoned the mine. 

" La Prieta is on the rancho of Matarchi, about six miles 
east of Cieneguita. The vein is from four to six feet wide. 
The opening is merely a trial pit. The ores of the outcrop 
are a melange of different sulphurets, heavily charged with 
copper. 

" El Potrero, 24 miles distant, is said to be an immense 
'clavo' of volcanic origin, and unknown extent, at the in- 
tersection of two veins. The ore is without alloy of silver, 
but contains much oxide of lead and spar. It forms an ex- 
cellent flux for the ores of La Prieta, and Los Tajos. The 
cost of carriage is the only expense. 

" La Yiruela, east half a mile from the site of La Armar- 
gosa, is a lofty hill, from which large quantities of gold have 
been extracted, but the whole hill has fallen in. 

" La Armagosa, and the rivulet which runs beneath El Re- 



63 

alito, are constantly searclied for gold. The water of the 
creek is not sufficiently abundant for machinery, and an ex- 
amination was made of La Armagosa, one-quarter mile east, 
where a stream was found that is permanent and may be 
conducted by a tunnel. It furnishes a considerable volume 
of water, with a natural fall of 100 feet within a space of 
100 yards in its own valley. 

" Yerba Buena is three and a half miles south-east from the 
real, four and a half from La Chipiona, and four from Los 
Tajos. This district is located near Sahuaripa, about 50 
miles south-east. The river is the Arroyo de los Ootimuris, 
which is permanent ten months, and sufficient to turn the 
wheels during the remainder of the year. Wood is abund- 
ant, and consists of oak, pine, juniper and ash. Pasturage, 
everywhere. Animals are said to fatten all the year round. 
Salt can be purchased at from $8 to $10 per carga of 300 
lbs.; wheat, $6 per fanega. Freight from Guaymas,$80 to $90 
per ton; from Sahuaripa, $3 per carga. Cattle are purchased 
from $10 to $15; hides, $1.00 each; mules and horses, dear; 
powder of the country, $7.00 per 25 lbs; flour, $7 per ar- 
roba." The ores are hard and require blasting, but, as seen 
before, are very rich. 

" The Real of the Cieneguita embraces the mines known as 
La Chipiona, La Colorada, La Cajona, La Prieta, and the 
vein of copper in Matarchi, La Descomulgada and Los Ta- 
jos, La Viruela, and El Realito, San Rafael, Ostimuris, Yer- 
ba Buena, and El Potrero. All of these mines are within a 
radius of three miles. 

" The principal vein appears to be that of La Chipiona. 
The origin of the real is- unknown. The general belief is 
that it is the long-lost Real of Tayopa, famous in the early 
Spanish annals. The ores of the Chipiona, Colorada, and 
others, are refractory, being mostly hard ores and sulphurets. 
The titles to the mines, except those of El Potrero or La 
Prieta, and the copper vein in Matarchi, are on the ranchos 
of La Yglesia, a fine grazing estate of eighteen square miles 
in extent, belonging to and in the occupancy of Don Jose 
Yrenco Monge. The title is said to be perfect and undis- 
puted, a Spanish grant of Carlos III. It is wooded and 
watered, and contains sufficient arable land. The rancho of 
Matarchi, which bounds it on the westward, is a beautiful 
pine forest, with some excellent cultivated laud, containing 
nine square miles, well watered, and is likewise a Spanish 
grant of the last century. It contains the veins of La Prieta 
and the outcrop of copper. 



64 

" The mines Los Tajos, La Descomulgada, and El Realito^ 
with four pertenencias, El Potrero, and La Viruella, are each 
the extent of La Chipiona's and La Colorada's possession, 
which was given by the Prefect of Sahuaripa on the 13th of 
September; is 1,800 feet in length; width, GOO feet on La 
Plomosa, and 1,350 feet in width, including all the present 
workings in the three mines. The sites called El Potrero, 
La Armagosa, La Cieneguita, and Yerba Buena, were de- 
nounced as "Haciendas de Benefico," or position for reduc- 
tion works. The Real of Cieneguita is situated in a pretty 
little dell, embosomed among lofty mountains, almost at the 
foot of the Sierra de San Ignacio, and partlj'^ embraced by 
the unbroken ranges of the great Sierra jiadre. These 
mines are now worked by a 30-stamp mill, and are produc- 
ing immense profits. 

"It is distant, perhaps, by tlie road, 42 miles south-east of 
Sahuaripa, nine miles south-east of Tarachi, and 72 miles west 
of Mulatos. The real contains about 20 acres of cultivated 
ground, and is supphed by a spring and perpetual brook, 
which traverses its center. The climate is mild. In winter^ 
the snow falls occasionally two feet, and ice forms two inches 
thick. The road leads from Sahuaripa through mountain 
passes. From Aribechi to the real it is all mountain, except 
the plain of Las Cazadores, in the rancho Aoyua Blanca, 
and the valley of the Rio de Ostimuris, from which the road 
runs from Santa ¥4 to Tarachi. A considerable portion of 
the real is covered by the foundations of houses and ruins 
of smelting works, or immense piles of scoriae and rubbish, 
proving incontestably to the practical eye the vast extent of 
the ancient mining operations." And another proof, we 
might add, of the former richness of these mines. We give 
this extended description, in order to show how an aban- 
doned mine looks to the traveler as well as the mining 
engineers, although these same mines have since been 
reopened and worked by a 30-stamp mill, as before stated. 

We are indebted to Mr. John A. Robinson, of this city, 
for the following : 

" Some fifteen miles north-east from the famous gold mine 
of Mulatos, lies a cluster of mines known as ' Mineral de la 
Cieneguita.' There are some fifteen mines in all ; the prin- 
cipal of them are the Chipiona, the^Colorada, and the Plo- 
mosa ; the two first being very rich in silver and gold, and 
the last in lead and silver. The country surrounding offers' 
every facility for mining and reduction works. An abund- 
ance of water, heavy forests of pine, hemlock, various species 



65 

of oak, juniper, etc. Building-stone and fire-clay in :he ioi' 
mediate vicinity, with pasturage for the animals. The 
mines are at present worked on a small scale by some Ger^ 
man gentlemen; but parties are now examining them with 
the view of establishing reduction works on an extensive 
scale by the lixiviation process. These mines are extreme- 
ly rich in ' ley,' and abundant in ores. Some sixty miles 
to the east of the above are situated those extremely rich 
copper mines called 'Huacarbo,' in the Barranca de Tarra- 
rique. Here also the facilities for working are great. The 
river Yaqui runs immediately at the foot of these im- 
mense lodes ; and the country is thickly covered by heavy 
timber. The Yaqui River, in places, runs over the copper- 
vein, leaving the ores in sight for a long distance. Both of 
the foregoing mining districts were fully explored by Robert 
L. D'Aumaille, a most famous mining expert, chemist and 
amalgamist, sent there by Don Juan A. Robinson, formerly 
United States Consul for Guaymas, Sonora, and at present 
residing in this city. D'Aumaille reports that the copper 
vein is intersected in different places, by narrow gold veins 
of a very rich 'ley.'" 

The district of Babicanora was discovered at the end of 
the last century, eight leagues south-east of Arispe and four 
from Sonoquipe, in the Sierra, running north and south. It 
was, at one time, very rich, and had a hacienda for the re- 
duction of ores below Sonoquipe, one mile from the bank of 
the creek. It was abandoned by its owners some years ago, 
until Mr. Hunter, an American, lately obtained possession 
of two of the mines. One is called JMendoza, which has a 
vein three feet wide, and assays $80 per ton in silver. The 
other is Santa Ana, and has a vein one vara in width, (33 
inches) with an assay similar to the other. Mr. Hunter has 
erected a ten-stamp mill, and is now working the mines 
profitably. 

The hacienda of Gov. Pesquiera, called Las Delicias, is 
situated about 20 miles south-west from Arispe, and con- 
sists of about 30,000 acres of good land, about one-fifth of 
which is first-class agricultural land, and being in the 
neighborhood or west of the Sonora River, the soil is some- 
what of the same nature, and produces wheat, corn and 
other cereals, as other lands on the Sonora River. The bal- 
ance is good grazing land. The Santa Elena mine is located 
about four and a half miles from the hacienda, on a ridge of 
mountains, and is owned by Gov. Pesquiera who erected a 
teu-stamp mill at the hacienda. 
5 



6Q 

It is not in working order, and is fast goiug to pieces. 
The mine Las been mostly worked by arastras, and pro- 
duced, in one year, $200,000, but has never been j^roperly 
worked. The best ore assays $5 per ounce bullion, gold and 
silver. The shaft is about 200 feet in depth, with a varying 
vein, sometimes reaching 15 feet in width. The mine is dry, 
with walls of porphyry and quartzite. 

The Curcurpe district also contains many mines, among 
which may be mentioned the ancient mine of El Tajo, which 
is now full of water and in a ruinous condition, having been 
destroyed by the gambucinos. 

The Santa Teresa de Jesus mining district is located 69 
miles south of the boundary line of the United States, on the 
northern frontier of the State of Sonora, and 30 miles from 
Magdalena; the latter being only about 140 miles from 
Tucson. 

We copy from a report of Mr. L. Jannin on tbe mines of 
this district, which has just been published, the following : 
" Leaving Cucurpe, and passing by the cultivated fields of 
its inhabitants, we find the road to the mines leading up the 
San Miguel River, sometimes emerging into an open plain. 
After fallowing the course of this river some twelve miles, 
and passing El Pintor and the deserted Pueblo de Dolores, 
the road leads us over table-lands and meadows, the former 
adorned with oak and ash trees, the latter covered with 
waving grass, until we reach a broad belt of thickly wooded 
land, where the San Miguel first makes its appearance in 
the dry season. From this point the river always contains 
running water. In the rainy season it rushes violently 
iilong, sometimes overflowing its banks, but in the dry season 
it floats along tamely, scarcely covering its bed. All the land 
between Cucurpe and this point is of the richest descrip- 
tion. It is unsurpassed in fertility by any portion of Sonora, 
and grain of all kinds can bo raised without the slightest 
trouble. 

In former times, the whole valley was populated, and the 
number of cultivated fields and the numerous herds of graz- 
ing cattle proclaimed the wealth of the inhabitants. But 
the continued incursions of the Apaches since 1832, by 
driving off the unresisting inhabitants and gathering the 
harvests they had planted, have -depopulated and ruined the 
•country. Deserted ranches are met along the road. "No 
one lives here. I^J^o one dares to plant grain, and, as it is 
ihere, so it is also throughout the northern part of the State. 
ILeaving the belt of wooded land that I have mentioned, the 



67 

road still takes us over meadows and table lands, up the 
valley of the San Miguel and toward its source, the Canon 
de Santa Teresa, a distance of 15 miles. Here, low ranges 
of hills, isolated peaks, and broken country, becoming more 
and more frequent, herald our approach to a mountain 
range, and soon we are in the canon, with steep hills on 
each side. 

The range of mountains in the foot-hills, in which are 
the mines of Santa Teresa, is known by the name of Sierra 
Azul, and its culminating peak is the Cerro Azul, which 
towers high above all the range, forming a most prominent 
object for a distance of over forty miles. The general course 
of the range is north and south, but spurs of the Cerro ex- 
tend in all directions. The country is mountainous in the 
extreme. There are no table-lands, no valleys, and no open 
space of any extent, nor are the ranges of foot-hills contin- 
uous, but are broken up by side ravines and canons, down 
which, in rainy seasons, the water finds its way to the vari- 
ous arroyos. These arroyos form the circuitous roads by 
which one point is reached from another. The position of 
the Mineral de Santa Teresa is correctly indicated by Col- 
onel de Fleury's late map of Sonora. From it can be seen 
the relative position of the Mineral to the neighboring 
pueblos, owing to the mountains around it. The only broad 
road leading to the mines is the one I have described. All 
others are, and can only be, foot-trails. The mines are 
upon three distinct veins, known as the Trinidad, San An- 
tonio, and the Santa Biviana. The openings on the Trini- 
dad and San Antonio are in the Real de Santa Teresa, while 
those on the Santa Biviana vein are in a neighboring real 
of the same name. 

The Real de Santa Teresa is approached by a canon of 
that name, and is situated some three miles from its outlet. 
The bed of this canon is a dry arroyo, and its sides are 
formed by a range of foot-hills rising up several hundred 
feet, and inclined towards the bed at an angle varying from 
50 to 70 degrees. The arroyo varies in width from 50 to 
300 yards, and forms the only road to the mines. In the 
rainy season, the water flowing down from the various ra- 
vines and from the Salto, (the source of the San Miguel) 
fills the arroyo and renders freighting in wagons difficult, 
but does not impede transit by mules and pack-trains. At 
the time of my visit it was perfectly dry, and generally re- 
mains so during nine months of the year. 

The Canon de Santa Teresa has a generally north-easteirly 



63 

direction, although subject to many turns. In the neighbor- 
hood of the mines, its direction is as indicated, and the vein 
pursues a nearly parallel course. The mountain mass of 
this Mineral — in fact, the whole range — is a hard, dark-blue 
limestone, distinctly stratified, and dipping to the east at an 
angle of 60 degrees. Its strike is nearly north and south. 
The course of the veins is contrary to the stratification of 
the limestone, which forms its walls; and they have all the 
appearance of being true fissure veins. The walls are gen- 
erally firm and enduring. 

The Trinidad vein crops out at various places on the 
northerly slope of the canon. Its general direction is north- 
east by south-west ; but it changes its course with the slope 
of the hills, and at places it is heaved by faults and cross- 
veins. The outcroppings can be traced at various heights 
above the head of the canon, until it reaches the opening 
called El Arroyo. Here the vein leaves the northerly slope 
of the canon, crossing over the arroyo in a diagonal direc- 
tion, and finally emerges on the opposite slope, still preserv- 
ing the same general direction. The San Antonio vein, on 
the other hand, is entirely on the southerly slope of the caiion. 
Its ge leral direction is north-east by north, but it also 
changes its course with the slopes of the hills. These two 
veins converge toward one another ; but although they have 
been followed for many aweary mile, their point of junction 
has not been discovered. The general appearance of the out- 
cropping is the same in the two veins, with some slight local 
difi:erences. It is a hard, compact quartz, sometimes thickly 
impregnated with peroxyd of manganese, and at others, 
m,erely colored by its presence. It is seldom found with a 
honey-comb structure. At places the veins outcrop boldly 
to the height of several feet, and at others, disappear be- 
neath the soil. The width of the vein does not remain con- 
stant ; but the general average may be put down at two-and- 
a-half to three feet. The San Antonio vein shows somewhat 
larger at the various openings than does the Trinidad ; but 
the ore in the latter is found more uniformly distributed. 
Wherever the veins outcrop, openings have been made. 
On the Trinidad vein there are six in number ; and on the 
San Antonio, there are seven. The different mines opened, 
are the El Loreto, that assayed, at a depth of cO feet, $70 
to $80 per ton ; vein small at surface, broadens out to 2^ feet 
in the shaft; angle of inclinat on, 40 deg. north-west. La 
Cruz lies north-east of the Loreto ; depth of shaft, 30 feet ; 
assay, $70 to $90, in first opening ; second, depth 60 feet; 



69 



veiQ 2 to 2^ feet thick ; dips about 45 deg.; assay, same as 
former. La Falda assayed $118 per ton. The Trinidad 
is the principal mine ; shaft 150 feet deep, with some of 
the pillars extracted ; some left standing, that would as- 
say over $80 per ton, while the ore in the lower gallery 
assays $150. Water comes into ihe lower levels. The 
miners, in abandoning the property, have of course left no 
rich deposit in the mines ; but the evidences are that an 
abundance of rich ore must have been extracted. The Ar- 
royo miue was said to be very rich, and is 70 feet deep ; 
filled with water, but could be cleared for about $600. The 
San Francisco is 30 feet deep ; the ore sometimes occurs in 
large bunches and pockets (or " bonanzas") ; sometimes in 
small nodules, and sometimes disseminated throughout the 
mass in minute particles. The vein is never free from metal. 
The San Antonio vein has seven openings, viz., San Pedro, 
La Biirra, Consolacion, San Antonio, Corazon de Maria, Santa 
Gertrudis, and Las Animas. Of the first three lean say but 
little in their present state, as they all need clearing out. 
The Consolacion is in a better state of preservation than the 
other two, and a fair average ore can be taken from it. The 
San Antonio enjoys a great reputation; but at present it is 
in a dilapidated condition. The mine is filled with rubbish. 
Li the Corazon de Maria the miners left nothing rich in 
sight. Santa Gertrudis contains good ores, and will assay 
$200 to $500 per ton. The average value of all I saw at the 
mouth is $270 per ton. The others will average $80 per ton." 
By comparing the locations on the map of Col. Fleury on 
Sonora, Sinaloa, Chihuahua, and Durango, it will be ob- 
served that these mines, of which we have reproduced a con- 
densed description from Mr. Jannin's report, are located but 
a short distance, about forty miles, south-east of Santa Cruz, 
and in the neighborhood of the richest mineral and agricult- 
ural region of the state, outside of the rich lands of the 
Yaqui Kiver. 

La Alameda is situated in the Hacameri district, 21 miles 
west of the pueblo of jSTacameri. This mine was discovered 
in 1835, and was once extensively worked. The mines of 
this district are all of silver, with a very good "ley/' about 
$60 per ton. 

Batuco also possesses some mines. 

The Eio Chico district is in the south-western part of the 
state, 120 miles from Ilermosillo, near the Yaqui River, is one 
of the most ancient mineral regions of Sonora, and in the 
last century produced great quantities of gold and silver. 



70 

Placers of gold were also discovered here. The gambuci- 
iios are still working some of the mines. El Aguiija is an 
old mineral region of the last century. Its principal mines 
are Guillamena, Ubarbol, and La Grande. These mines are 
mostly abandoned, though worked by gambucinos. Suaque 
contains many mines of gold and silver, which are but little 
worked. La Trinidad is one of the oldest mineral regions 
of the State, situated at the base of the Sierra Madre, on a 
branch of the river Mayo. Its area is comprised almost en- 
tirely of mines, the principal ones of which are worked by 
Mr. Alsua of Guaymas, by a modern stamp-mill, who is tak- 
ing out in bullion, monthly, about $100,000. This district 
is reached by a road from Sahuaripa through Babicanora, 
south, on the Bapepito River, a branch of the Yaqui ; thence 
to Conichi, Ouava, Rio Chico, Kury ; thence north-east to 
Canija, San ISTicolas, Santa Rosa, and Trinidad. 

The district of Bacuachi is in the northern part of the 
State, as well as the copper mines of La Cananea. The gold 
found in this district is coarse, and pieces were found weigh- 
ing 25 marcs. In fact, the. whole of this region is covered 
with veins of gold and silver, and are as yet undeveloped. 
We have called especial attention to this district in another 
place. 

Among the old mines, we may mention the Cajon, six 
leagues from the San Francisco placers and twelve 
from Cieneguilla, and those of the hacienda of Santa Rosa, 
near Cajon, which yielded great quantities of silver from 
1798 to 1802. The average proportion of the ley of the 
best or picked ores was six, eigl t and twelve marcs to the 
arroba; of the i30orer or second class, two to four marcs. 
There was a scarcity of ore in the Santa Rosa mines, on ac- 
count of the hardness and narrowness of the veins. In the 
mines of San Francisco, water is scarce to the extreme, and 
could not be obtained nearer than 21 miles, and sold in 
the dry season at $1 per barrel. The timber, also, in the vi- 
cinity, is unlit for building. 

These mines are very rich, but the expense is too great to 
work them profitably. The mines of Vado Seco, to the 
north of San Iguacio Puel^lo, on the road to Tucson, are re- 
ported to be rich, as well as the famous placer of Sobia, 
on the main road to the city of Alamos, half way from Bar- 
royaca. 

The Cajon district contains a group of some three or four 
mines, and are all owned by a JSFew York company. The 
nephew of General Magruder is the superintendent, and 



71 

OWDS one-half interest in the mines. The mine contains gold 
and silver-bearing quartz, which assays, on an average, about 
$65 to $70 per ton. The deepest shaft is only down about 
125 feet. Rich spots are occasionally found in the vein, but 
after they get down a certain distance, the veins commence 
to pinch out. Some of the veins have entirely disappeared. 
The mine has, however, paid well, as they have taken out 
already enough ore to pay for the claim, mills and expenses, 
and have now on the dump, in sight, about $50,000 worth of 
ore. The mill has ten stamps, and is not quite completed, 
but will shortly commence to reduce the ore. 

The Las Cedras, belonging to Don Santo Terminal, is sit- 
uated in the district of Barroyaca, near the small town of 
Teropaco, 135 miles from Guaymas, in the direction of 
Alamos, south-east. This is a very rich mine, and has been 
extensively worked. It is surrounded by rich, arable lands, 
and a permanent stream of water flows in the vicinity of 
the mine. Negotiations are being made to purchase it. 

During the years 1863 and 1864, many new mines were 
opened, among which were Las Cruzecitas, Corral Viejo and 
El Refugio, the latter on the border of Chihuahua, and the 
mines of La Cananea. 

On the Cerro Prieto, between the ranchos de la Palma 
and La Casa Pintada, is an old mine, called Tarasca, almost 
forgotten. Tradition places it very rich, although it has not 
been worked for over a century. In this same neighbor- 
hood are many old mines, and vestiges of buildings may yet 
be seen on their antiquated sites. 

In the district of San Jose de Gracias, a celebrated mine was 
worked in 1809-1810, by Juan Jose Carumina,who expended 
all his capital in bailing out the water from the old shaft, and in 
two or three hours, after clearing it of water, he took out a lump 
of ore weighing 75 pounds, which yielded 112 ounces of pure 
silver. The water began to gain on him again, so that in 
his eftbrt to keep it down, he broke his bailing apparatus, 
and aving contracted some debts, he could not return to 
his bor ; the mine refilled in six or seven hours, and he 
abai ined the enterprise. A company afte]:wards under- 
took ) clear the mine, but after expending a considerable 
sum, abandoned the mine on account of an accident to one 
of the workmen," says Velasco. This seems incredible ; 
but for the fact that the mines are mostly worked by Yaqui 
Indians, who are very superstitious, and believe that devils 
inhabit the mines, says Ruxton, in his " Adventures in Mexi- 
co." The accident to one of their number would prevent 



72 

others from working in a haunted mine, or one inhabited by 
evil spirits, in their imagination. Velasco further says : 
" Some of the old inhabitants of San Jos^ de Gracia, in 
speaking of this mine, testify that the vein in many places 
was of virgin silver ; and that in others the ore yielded fifty 
per cent, of pure silver ; also, that there was a stratum of 
red earth that yielded great quantities of gold, they having 
frequently witnessed the extraction of two or three hundred 
marcs on one single occasion. The depth of this mine ex- 
ceeds one hundred varas. " Taking into account the unreli- 
ability of traditions, and the extravagance of some Mexi- 
cans, still there may be some truth in the tradition, as the 
famous mines of Batopilas, in Chihuahua, and others, have 
produced like results. If the mine is still in the condition 
that Carumina found it, a steam pump would soon reveal its 
hidden treasures. 

The mines of La Cananea, 80 years ago or more, were 
worked on a large scale with great energy, by the house of 
Guea, of Chihuahua. We undersrand that these mines, or 
the principal ones, are owned and worked by Gov. Pesquiera, 
of Sonora, and are now bonded by him to Eastern par- 
ties. Nevertheless, we give a description of the district 
from the pen of the celebrated chemist, Robert L. D'Au- 
maille, mining engineer and official assay er for the State of 
Sonora. 

General Pesquiera has worked five mines in this district, 
viz: El Ronquillo, La Chivatera, San Rafael, (or La 
Plomosa) La Terdilla, and La Cobre Grande. The report 
was written by M. D'Aumaille in i860, and is as follows: 
" La Cananea is situated about 36 miles south-west of the 
Presidio of Santa Cruz, about 54 miles south-east of San 
Pedro, probably 35 miles southerly from Fort Buchanan, 
and not far from the American line. The mines worked are 
seven in number, of which th^ principal are El Ronquillo, 
La Chivatera, San Rafael, Santo Domingo, La Minade Cobre 
Pobre, and La Mina de Plomo de Arvallo. In addition to 
these mines are La Mariquilla, (of white copper) El Tajo, 
(the ancient mine), and others — ui fact, the whole region 
is strongly mineralized and of the most prepossessing ex- 
terior. The hacienda de Beneficioy ."Perez y Arvallo is on 
theEl Ritto, a permanent stream at the foot of the mount- 
ains, about a mile and a half from the mines. The groiter 
portion of the road is excellent, and the i emai/ider can be 
readily made so. The hacienda is a mass of ruins, over- 
grown with rank vegetation. The machinery was destroyed 



73 

by natives carrying away the iron available. The situation 
is pleasant, on the border of a vast plain covered with wild 
mustangs or horses, and which stretches away to San Pedro, 
and contains much arable, with any quantity of grazing land, 
and lies immediately around the site. Half a mile or soup 
the valley brings us to the mine of El Ronquillo, called also 
from its refractory ores. La Maletiosa, with its ancient ha- 
cienda. This mine was the property of Arvallo, but the 
miners were driven off by the Apaches. El Rouquillo has 
a thickness of from three and a half to four feet of very good 
ore, worked to a depth of 80 feet. It has several shafts full 
of water to the brim, which comes from copious springs in 
the lower workings, and a ravine which passes across the 
vein, and from its situation upon the gentle slope of a hill 
which gradually merges into the plain beneath, it cannot be 
drained by a tunnel, but recourse must be had to steam 
machinery. The ore of this mine assayed from $30 to $80 
per ton. Passing through the ravine, copper croppings are 
seen. One-quarter of a mile further, is located the mine of 
La Chivatera, situated on a steep declivity, admirably 
adapted to tunnel drainage, and is half full of water. It 
bears every external evidence of being a powerful vein, but 
we are told that it is really an irregular deposit. Three 
hundred yards higher up lies a great open cellar, for I can 
compare it to nothing else, with a small pile of refuse lying 
at one side. 

This is the mine of Tajo, of San Rafael. Judging from 
the small amount of earth visible, and the statement of the 
old administrador, it is nearly a solid mass of ore. You 
have ore on all sides in the level, so that it is impossible to 
tell where the vein is. This ore is ductile and most easily 
reducible. It flows like water in the furnace. The supply 
is apparently inexhaustible. .Further up the glen is the 
Miua de Plomo de Arvallo, of the same character as San 
Rafael, The ores of these mines appear to consist princi- 
pally of oxide and sulphate of lead; although vast masses 
of galena are found, and are so soft that a single barretero 
can throw down many tons a day, while the cost of extrac- 
tion is nothing. The shafts appear of trivial dimensions, yet 
they have been worked from time immemorial, and the 
litharge or jugos, from San Rafael, have supplied all north- 
ern Sonora with that necessary article ; and they have even 
formed an article of export to Jesus Maria, and other great 
mining districts of Central Chihuahua. The ore of the 
Cobre Pobre Mine in the vicinity is boundless in extent, but 



74 

of inferior quality, "^ear this point is also located the great 
vein of La Mariquilla. "We have been assured that it was in 
the sierra of La Mariquilla, twelve miles to the north. This 
mine, from its alleged dimensions, and the richness of its 
ores, has great interest attiched to it, as the cause of its 
abandonment was the fact of its producing white copper, 
something like the " paktong" of China, or the white cop- 
per of Heidelburghauseii, the prototype of German silver. 
But the accounts of this mine are so obscure, conflicting and 
contradictory, that nothing can be made of it, but actual 
discovery of the mine. Some have denied the existence of 
this mine or vein, and others claim to have smelted it, who 
pronounced it an alloy of copper and silver. 

El Tajo, the most ancient mine, is a huge rent in the 
earth like the Pamys mine in Iglesia, but the ores changed 
at the depth of 30 feet, suddenly, into pyrites. It is probable 
from analogy that these pyrites are argentiferous. Immense 
masses of black rock were abandoned by the ancient miners 
1^ the walls, under the supposition, probably, that they 
were black slate, which were subsequently assayed and 
proved to be a semi-stratified silicate of the dinoxide of 
copper. 

Other mines of argentiferous galena, varying from 12 to 
320 ounces per ton, are alleged to exist near the Ojo do 
Agua de Arvalla. Besides the oak, there are vast and most 
accessible forests of chamunque, a species of pitch pine of 
great strength and durability, excellently adapted for ma- 
chinery and building materials. 

The mines are accessible by a good wagon road via Santa 
Cruz from Fort Buchanan, Tubac, La Piedra Parade, and 
Guaymas, and are surrounded by the great depopulated ha- 
ciendas of San Bernardino, El Ojo de Agua de Arvalla, an- 
other Ojo de Agua, Cuitahaca, El Agua Escondida, Las 
Animas, and Banaraichi. 

Another road, called a wagon road, but poorly deserving 
the name, passes by Eacuachi, Arispe, Ures, and Hermosillo, 
to Guaymas. Its position is romantic and delightful. Pas- 
tures exist green ii Bacuachi all the year round, and of the 
most nutritious quality. Cultivable land of considerable 
extent is found in the same hacienda, which is the natural 
feeder of the real. The mines themselves are said, by 
Felipe Perez, to be on public land, a narrow strip or sobrante 
between two ranchos. All the necessaries of a great estab- 
lishment — building material and fluxes — abound in excess. 
Building stone, granite, fine marble, tepustete, arenillas, 



75 

jugos and syndas are plentiful; and, during the search for 
the lost mines of Las Lamas, Espiritu Santo, on the road to 
Banamichi, a vast deposit of most refractoiy furnace sand- 
stone was found, the first seen in Sonora. The water is 
good and the locahty healthful, and in proximity to the 
American military stations of Fort Buchananand Arritoypa," 
and the Southern Pacific K. R., which passes within about 
150 miles of the district. 

" Ange Robert L. D. Amuaille, 
Ensayador Oficial de Estado de Sonora, 

29 de Mayo de 1860." 

La Basura is the first mining region discovered in the 
country of the Papajos, and is situated twenty-four miles 
north-west of Caborca. Its veins nre numerous, especially 
those of gold ; but although they are of marvelous richness, 
this lasts but a short time, as the deposits extend but a short 
distance below the surface, San Perfecto was the second dis- 
covery made in the Papajo country. Qnitovac was the 
third discovery, about seventy miles north-west from Ca- 
borca, and the same distance from the town of Guadalupe 
or Altar. The placers were first worked, they being very 
abundant in gold, which lay in grains on the surface, as at 
San Francisco and Cieneguilla, Afterwards many mines 
were opened to the depth of ten or fifteen varas, (about 33 
inches to each vara) some of which yielded from four to 
eight ounces of gold to the bowl (or '' batea "); others not 
more than a few cents. Occasionally pockets were found 
of large extent that yielded marvelously. Nuggets of large 
size were also found ; one weighed twenty-one marcs, (each 
marc weighing 4,608 grains). A large piece of gold-bearing 
quartz was extracted from a ledge, that was nearly all gold, 
and weighed over thirty marcs. San Antonio, another 
placer, about ten miles west of Quitovac, was discovered a 
few days after the latter, and was exceedingly rich at the 
surface". The discovery of these placers was owing to 
Father Faustino Gonzalez, who prevailed upon the Papajo 
Indians to reveal their locality, in 1835. Gonzalez made a 
large fortune, and he was soon surrounded by whites and 
Indians in great numbers. The placer continued rich for 
several years, and was worked until 1841, when the Papajos 
rose, and expelled the whites. 

After quiet was restored, a few persons returned to Qui- 
tovac and worked some mines discovered after the placers, 
in the neighborhood of an abundant spring, capable of sup- 
plying a population of 30,000 or 40,000 inhabitants. 



76 

In the Sonoica Valley, which is situated about 86 miles 
north of Quitovac, on the road to Lower California, the gold 
discovered was very fine and light. 

Alamo Muerto, about 48 miles west of Caborca, contains 
gold and silver mines and placers. It was discovered in 
the same year as Quitovac, and although its ores yield a fair 
proportion of silver, the scarcity of quicksilver prevented 
their being worked to any great extent. There were, how- 
ever, ten mines in operation at the time of the rising of the 
Papajos, all of which were abandoned. 

Las Palomas, six miles to the south of Alamo Muerto, 
were rich placers of gold, similar to those of Quitovaca. It 
was also abandoned for the same reason, and is now frequent- 
ed by a few gambueinos, (poor miners) who are satisfied 
with enough to provide them with food. 

El Zone was discovered in 1844, and contains numerous 
gold mines, some of them quite rich at the surface. From 
one of them was taken a mass of quartz of 25 pounds 
weight, yielding 50 per cent, of pure gold. A mine is lo- 
cated here called Ris Suena; eight or ten shafts are down 
about 300 feet. Ores are shipped to Aribaca, about 120 miles 
on the road to Tucson; paj^s about $200 per ton. 

Cajitos is situated about 24 miles north-west from Caborca, 
and about 70 miles from port La Libertad, inland, north-east 
from the Gulf of California. The mines located here are 
in a low range of mountains or foot-hills. The mines were 
discovered shortly after the other mines in the vicinity, and 
have been worked in a superficial manner since 1842. Li 
1868, the hostile Indians drove the miners off, and the 
mines were abandoned until 1877, when small bodies of 
armed men returned and worked in the old drifts and inclines 
for a few weeks, then packed the ore on their mules, and 
slipped away quietly to Basura, about ten miles east, where 
reduction works were established. The richest spots were 
thus only mined until 1879, when the mines were again 
worked by the primitive arastra. The shafts are sunk on 
an incline following the course of the ore vein. Instead of 
using the windlass, the ore is packed on the backs of 
miners in raw-hide sacks, up ladders made by binding cleats 
of wood upon an upright pole, with raw-hide thongs. The 
ore is worked by an iron bar called "barreton," about six 
feet in length, which is used to throw it down, using it as a 
hand-drill and lever. One end is shaped like a drill, and the 
other is hammered flat and sharp like the larger end of a 
pick. The ore is broken into small pieces and thus trans- 



77 

ported to the surface, to the arastras. For shovels, the 
horns of cattle are steeped in water and flattened out, and 
attached to pieces of wood with raw-hide thongs. 

In this manner,. these mines have been worked for the 
last 35 years, an I about four millions have been extracted 
from the four mines in the vicinity. The present depth of 
the shafts is as follows : The Tajilos, 275 feet; Puerte- 
citos, from 90 to 100 feet; Gahlea, 80 to 90 feet; Oro Blau-. 
CO, 180 feet; Santa Rosalia, 200 feet; with two levels and 
stations. 

" The gold has only been extracted, although a large per- 
centage of silver is found in the ore, which has been al- 
lowed to waste, owing to the lack of materials to save it. 
Mr. C. E. Hoffman, mining engineer of this city, although 
his residence is in San Jose, some months since was sent to 
Tucson to examine some mines in Arizona, und while there,, 
met a Mexican, who showed him some of the ore from, 
these mines, which, on being assayed, was found to be very 
rich. He accompanied the Mexican to the mines, was sat- 
isfied with their richness, and purchased the four mines, and 
thirteen others in the vicinity in the Juarez and Cajitos mining 
district, for himself and some gentlemen in this city, who 
subsequently organized the Caborca Mining Co. He re- 
turned again last April, and has been superintending their 
development, building reservoirs, and preparing a site for a 
20-stamp mill. The water is abundant in the vicinity, 
\vhich is caught in reservoirs, and the one now constructed 
has sufficient water to supply a 20-stamp mill for eighteen 
months. 

" In this district the rancheros irrigate their lands by reser- 
voirs; though grain, if sown in season, and grass, thrive 
very well without. Mr. Hoffman has in his employ about 
sixty Yaquis. These Indians perform almost all the labor 
of Sonora, and are employed at from 50 cents to <f 1 per day. 
The ores of these mines assayed on an average |80 per ton. 
The ores of the Oro Blanco mine in this group, assayed as 
high as $224.94 — about two-thirds being silver. The Santa 
Rosalia, about four miles from the Oro Blanco, west, went 
about $151; and the Alberca, $85.75, gold and silver, of 
about equal proportions. Thus we see the whole of thia 
region surrounding Caborca is one of the richest in the state, 
and may be worked with enormous results. The price of 
transportation will not exceed $25 per ton to Port la Liber- 
tad, and may there be shipped to San Francisco for $8 per 
ton additional ; although Mr. Hoffman proposes to work tha 



78 

ore by a 20-stamp mill, until the mines are further devel- 
oped; then add to their capacity 40 stamps more.. Hay can 
be purchased at the mines at $16 per ton, and wood at $2. 50 
and fS.OO per cord. The hill-sides in the vicinity are 
thickly covered with a heavy growth of iron-wood, mesquite, 
and palo-verde. The location is such that the mines can be 
profitably worked, and yield rich returns to the owners. 
The Santa Felicita mine, twenty miles east of the Cajitos 
Mining Camp, is owned by Mr. Davis of Chicago, who has 
erected a 20-stamp mill, and is working in free gold ore. The 
Cajon mine, twenty miles south-west, is worked by a 10- 
stamp mill." (From report of Mr. C. E. Hoffman.) 

We are indebted to Mr. Benjamin Rountree for the fol- 
lowing : 

" The principal mine of the mining district of La Bar- 
ranca, in the jurisdiction of San Javier, is the Tarumari, a 
silver mine, which is owned by the Barranca Mill and Mining 
Company, of Guaymas. The owners are, N. Graff, F. R. 
Rountree, F. Ench, and Arturo Culicuro. This mine has 
reached a depth of 300 feet, and has produced bullion to the 
amount of $1,500,000. The width of the vein is from two 
and a half to four feet. The average assay has been, for all 
the working ores, about $100 per ton. The lowest workings 
are upon richer ore, reaching $160 per ton, with a vein at 
the lowest workings, 18 inches. The ore contains about five 
per cent, gold in bullion. A 20-stamp mill, concentrator, 
etc., are located at the mines. The ores are worked by the 
lixiviate process, or roasting, and then passed through a wet 
crusher. The ores are rebellious, and, consequently, have to 
be roasted before treating. This mine is located about 120 
miles north-east from Guaymas, and about 100 east from 
Hermosillo, 10 from LosBronces, 8 from San Javier." The 
same company owns the extensive coal beds hereafter men- 
tioned, which are located 1,500 feet from this mine. 

The region or mining district of Bolas de la Plata is sup- 
posed to be located in the northern part of Sonora, near the 
iDOundary line of Arizona. Its importance is chiefly derived 
from traditions of virgin silver having been found " at the 
place called Arizona, on a mountain ridge about half a 
league in extent. The discovery was made by a Taqui In- 
dian, who revealed it to a trader, and the latter made it 
public. At a depth of a few varas, masses of pure silver 
were found, of a globular form, and of one and two arrobas in 
weight. Several "pieces were taken out weighing upwards 
of 20 arrobas, or 500 pounds ; and one found by a person 



79 

from Guadalajara weighed 140 arrobas, or 3,500 pounds," 
all of which has been quoted and given as a probable fact 
in many works, and is found referred to as a tradition in 
many Spanish and English works, and even quoted as a fact; 
since in the same year of the discovery, 1769, the Presidio 
of Altar seized upon large masses of silver in the possession 
of certain persons as the property of the crown, which was 
denied by the parties interested, and the matter taken into 
the audience chamber of Guadalajara, and from thence was 
referred to the court of Madrid. Seven years having 
elapsed, the crown decided that the silver pertained to the 
royal patrimony. The facts and all the data, in our opinion, 
can amount to no more, than that certain rumors were in ex- 
istence, in relation to the products of one of the rich mines 
of Sonora, which had been seized by an officer of the crown: 
and had been found in a melted state in the mountains, at 
some mythical spot. The fact that the silver was in the 
shape of balls indicates that they were simply the ordinary 
products of one of the rich mines, and had been melted into 
the balls before mentioned, from the fact that formerly the 
silver in Mexico was thus melted, instead of into bars or 
bricks, as at present. 

The following is copied from the Appendix of " Ward 
on Mexico," which contains a complete report of the dis- 
trict of Babiacora : 

" In the neighborhood of Babiacora there are many silver 
mines, the most of which contain a greater or less propor- 
tion of gold. The principal are Dolores and San Antonio 
to the south- wcbt of the town; Cerro Gordo, to the south- 
east, and Cobriza, on the Cerro de San Felipe, in the valley 
above Babiacora. 

"The Cerro Gordo mine is situated four leagues south- 
east of Babiacora, on a very high hill, and appears to have 
been of considerable interest, from the great quantities of 
refuse ores thrown out on its sides. The quantity of water 
contained in it cannot be ascertained, as there is not any 
perpendicular shaft. From the steepness of the hill, a tun- 
nel might be driven far below the bottom of the works, from 
a fino plain. The vein ia about one-half yard in width. 
Some of the rejected ores produce from 12 to 30 marcs per 
'monton,' (often cargas, or 3,000 lbs.) 

"The mine of Cobriza de San Fehpe, eight leagues north 
of Babiacora, and three from the town of Ituapaca, with the 
haciendas and ranchos of San FeUpe, Agua Caliente, and 
Los Chinos, in its neighborhood, is said to have been aban- 



80 

doned when producing pure silver, which the miners cut out 
in small pieces by means of large shears and chisels. The 
Apaches drove the miners away, and, during their absence, 
the shafts became filled with water, and a large rock 
fell into the mouth, blocking it completely up." This was 
in 1827. 

The mine of Tacapuchi is three leagues from Babiacora 
south-east. The ores produce 14 marcs per monton, or 
about $44.80 per 3,000 lbs. 

Dolores, one league from Babiacora, produces silver in 
the same proportion, with a mixture of gold. These mines 
are all advantageously situated, with wood and water in 
abundance adjacent, and are distant about 70 leagues from 
Guaymas. 

About eight leagues from Oposura north-west, are the 
old and celebrated mines of San Juan Bautista. The 
Mineral of San Juan is a mountain of itself, encircled by 
others to the north-west and south of considerably greater 
elevation. It is 3,000 yards in length from east to west, 
and 1,500 wide at the broadest point, and is entirely sur- 
rounded by a ravine which open» into a large plain. The 
mountain or hill is 600 feet high, at the summit of which 
the principal vein, called Santa Ana, crosses from north to 
south. This is crossed by another vein on the northern 
slope of the mountain, and is called El Rosario. These 
mines have produced enormously, but now contain much 
water. 

Twelve other distinct veins are found, with small threads 
of virgin silver permeating the centre. The azogues, (ores 
that contain quicksilver) which are very abundant, are un- 
touched, though they produce from 24 to 96 ounces of pure 
silver to the carga of 300 lbs. or from $140 to $650 per ton. 
The ores, by smelting, have yielded 50 per cent, of pure 
silver. 

Tradition says that when they were compelled to abandon 
Santa Ana from water coming in, they left off in a vein of 
pure silver one-third of a yard wide. 

The twelve veins vary from one yard to six i-n breadth. 
The depth to which they were worked is as follows: Santa 
Ana, 140 varas; Rosario, 60; Cata de la Agua, 5; Guada- 
lupe, 4; Gazapa, 20; Texedora, 20; Santa Catarina, 20; 
Arpa, 12; Prieta, 12; Bellotita, Coronilla, 12; Fontane, 10. 
Half a league further to the north of Santa Ana is the mine 
of Descubridora, with a veinof azogues, (heavily charged 
with quicksilver) 15 varas wide; dci)th of mine, 30 feet^ 



81 

assay, 96 ounces to the carga of 300 lbs, or about $650 per 
ton, reduced by the amalgamating process. 

One league to the westward is the mine called Brbnzosa. 
or Los Bronces, with an immense vein, which may be traced 
one mile on the surface. It has been considerably worked, 
but has water in it. Two leagues further west is the mine 
called Cobriza, a new mine 20 varas deep. The two last have 
a good rejDutation. 

The mining district of Wacosari is located 16 leagues from 
Oposura, and 14 eastward from Arispe. The entrance from 
the plain of Nacosari is up a narrow glen two leagues in 
length, through which flows a tolerable stream of water,, 
which is lost in the sand. 

About one mile from the entrance, during the rainy sea- 
son, it reaches to Ojo de la Agua, the source of the Opo- 
sura River. Just before you arrive at ISTacosari, the glen ex- 
pands into a beautiful vale, planted over with a variety of 
ornamental shrubs, fig trees, pomegranates, peaches, and 
other fruits and plants, which were once arranged with 
order and taste, but now form a confused thicket. The re- 
mains of numerous canals are visible, through which water 
was conveyed to every part of the vale. This spot was once 
a residence of Jesuits. The remains of their dwellings and 
an old church at the upper end of the valley are yet to be 
seen. The surroundings are picturesque. The mountains 
on each side rise almost perpendicularly, and are intersected 
with strata of a great variety of colors. Some of them pre- 
sent a mixture of bright red, yellow, green, and other varied, 
tints. 

There are many excavations in the mountains, and thei 
principal mine is called San Pedro de ITacosari. This mine 
is a phenomenon. The vein runs east and west, and is. Md 
open from the surface for more than 1,000 varas, to the 
depth of 70 varas. The breadth of the aperture is about, 
two yards; but on each side are immense quantities of rub- 
bish thrown out. Much dirt and sand have washed in and 
covered the vein; but general report says that the mine has; 
no water in the interior, and that the ores were so rich that 
the best yielded from 25 to 30 marcs of silver to the arroba 
(of 25 lbs.). 

The mines of Churunibabi, Pinal, Huacal, Aguaje, and 
many others, are situated to the north and north-east of IlTa- 
cosari, at no great distance from San Juan del Rio, built 
upon a stream which falls into the Yaqui. These minerals 
are equally rich with those already described. Pinal coa- 
'6 



82 

tains a greater proportion of gold than silver. It is recorded 
in the archives of Arispe, that the former owner, a lady bj 
name, ioaned quite a sum to the government. Churunibabi 
is a very old mine, worked in the same way as the San Pe- 
dro, as, indeed, are all the mines in this part of the country. 
The direction of the vein is east and west, width two varas. 
The last persons who undertook to work this mine, were 
named Escalante, Vasquez, and Coulla. They cleared away 
the rubbish at one end until they found a pillar left to sup- 
port some of the old workings, from which they took ores 
that produced $70,000, and yielded 70 marcs of silver per 
carga of 800 lbs. The mine is laid open from the surface 
400 yards in depth. Tradition says that the first discoverers 
found the vein of virgin silver one-half vara wide, (or about 
IG inches) and that it was abandoned, on account of the 
Apaches, when the vein was two varas or 66 inches wide, 
(6i feet) and the ores assaying 70 marcs per carga, or about 
$1,500 per ton. The richness of these ores appears almost 
incredible; but when we consider the great quantities of 
bars of silver the mines of Sonora, without the aid of quick- 
silver, have produced, the metals must have been very rich 
and abundant. Ten leagues to the west and south-west of 
Nacosari, and six to the north of San Juan, are the mines of 
Tonbaraclii and San Pedro Virguillia, with ores of from six 
to eight raarcs per carga. To the west of Arispe are the 
mines of Santa Teres i, of gold and silver completely virgin, 
and the Cerro or Mountain of San Pedro, which contains 
innumerable mines and veins untouched. In all the districts 
above described, the roads are only passable from the public 
roads for horses and mules. The country being very mount- 
ainous, but not of very great elevation, none of these mines 
are more than six or seven leagues from rapid streams of 
water, sufficiently considerable to work almost any machin- 
ery. The mines of Aigame, or Hay game, near Ilorcositas, 
are famous for the abundance and rii-hness of their gold- 
bearing ores. Those of Lam I'ozas and Palos Blancos, five 
leagues west of Tepachi, are likewise good mines, with con- 
siderable veins carrying rich ores." 

On the Mining Districts of La. Carita, La Iglesia, La 
Chipiona, La Amargosa and Los Mulatos. 

All these districts comprise aiiother seven hundred square 
miles of a very mountainous country, situated around the 
the head waters of the Eio de Guisamopa and those 



83 

of the creek of Agna Vercle, another tributary of the Sa- 
huaripa river; as well as on the Kio cle Mnlatos, which is 
the most southern branch of the head waters of the Rio 
Yaqui, bat already a powerful stream, where it rnshes past 
the mining town of Mulato^=. Some of these mountain ranges 
reach heights of GOOO and 7000 feet above the level of the 
sea. The whole seven hundred square miles are covered with 
most magnificent forest of pine, oak and a great variety of 
other trees. Water is in this extensive region by far more 
abundant than on the western slope of the Sierra Madre. 
Every now and then one meets a tine stream of crystal water, 
leaping from rock to rock, as if anxious to become of some 
use before leaving its birthplace. Grass is also more abund- 
ant and much sweeter than in the west, and provisions are 
full as near as to Trinidad and Guadalupe. But Guaymas 
is, by fifteen leagues, farther off from these latter districts. 
As in respects to the proposed Pacific Railroad, the seven 
hundred miles I here speak of are much easier reached than 
the seven hundred miles on the western slope of the Sierra, 
since said railroad would run close along the southern line 
thereof- The veins found in these districts are even more nu- 
merous than those in the more western ones; also more regu- 
lar and extensive. But the ores, as taken on an average, are 
less rich and of a more complicated nature in respect to their 
metallurgical treatment. This is the principal reason why 
less mining has been carried on here than in the western 
districts. But the mines I am going to describe are, there- 
fore, of less importance, since they seem to make up in 
quantity what they fall short in quality, at least as far as veins 
are concerned. The district of "La Oarita," the most west- 
ern of the group, is situated on the eastern side of the Sierra 
de San Ignacio, which is in that section of the Sierra Madre, 
the northern termini of its most western ridge. The princi- 
pal part of this district is a bulky mountain, about five miles 
long and 5000 feet high. Its cap of porphyry is more than 
1000 feet thick, but does not prevent the green stone por- 
phyry, with its intermixture of iron pyrites as the precursor 
of the ores, from cropping out in a great number of gulches 
and ravines, from most of which the interior of the mountain 
could easily and cheaply be reached. With half a dozen of 
tunnels, hundreds of thousands of tons of valuable ores would 
become accesvsible, and make this mountain one of the most 
famous of the Sierra Madre. That it is an ore-bearing 
mountain is, in addition to what I have already said about it, 
proved by the astonishing number of veins cropping out in 



84 

the cap of porphyry. Only a few of them have been worked, 
since their existence was but recently discovered. The ore 
on the surface of these veins is greatly decomposed, and is, 
therefore, very soft. It enters freely into the Mexican amal- 
gamation process. But after a certain depth has been 
reached, from twenty to forty yards, the sulphuret of the 
ore makes its appearance. This, without being roasted, does 
not enter into the amalgamation. All the worked veins have 
on this account been abandoned, although the ores had be- 
come more abundant than they had been near the surface. 
The chemical character or compounds of the ore of the La 
Carita district I could not determine without putting it to an 
analytical test. In appearance it differs from all other ores 
in the Sierra Madre. In many of the mines of La Carita gold 
is found on the surface, and in quantities large enough to be 
worked for. Being the nearest mining district to the Rio de 
Sah.uaripa, La Carita has all the mining facilities on hand, 
that is, as far as the country produces them. The small min- 
ing village of the same name is situated at the foot of the 
mountain, and close to the little streamlet which comes out 
of it. In the east the district of La Carita is joined by that 
of La Iglesia. About a century ago La Iglesia was a large 
mining village, but at the present it is but a small rancho, 
with but half a dozen families. As a mining district, La Ig- 
lesia calls the attention of the o-eoloojist as well as the miner. 
Its most important geological, or rather mineralogical, feature 
is, that wherever a vein has been worked, the ores on the 
surface were rich in silver, but soon changed into the metals, 
pyrites, with the extraction of which the Mexican miner never 
troubles himself. The succession of the ore strata is here, as 
far as it has been tried, the same as in Dios Padre, in Trinidad. 
Pure galena comes first, then galena and zinc blonde, after 
this galena, zinc blende, and small pockets of gray silver ore. 
Now, judging by what follows this in Dios Padre, I have a 
right to infer that the same ore will follow here too, viz.: a 
rich gray silver ore, with perhaps a little zinc blende and 
galena. And if this really is the case, as I do believe it is, 
then immense quantities of pure and rich gray silver ore 
could be extracted from innumerable veins of the Iglesia dis- 
trict. In the whole district there is not a mountain over 
1000 feet liigh, above the level of the Agua Verde Creek, 
which divides it into two equal parts. This creek is a pow- 
erful stream, with a good deal of fall, and therefore very well 
adapted to the driving of machinery and for other purposes. 
On its banks and on the hills near to it thousands of acres of 



85 

land could be cultivated. They are now covered with an 
abundance of grass or a magnificent forest. 

La Igelsia, as a whole, is one of the cosiest spots of the 
Sierra Madre, and a place on which at some future day a great 
mining town must spring up. The scenery all around the 
district is grand, sublime; one mountain rises higher than 
the other, and all trying to outshine one another with their 
dense and splendid forests of pine, oak, etc. The whole dis- 
trict of La Igelsia belongs to the same ore-bearing formation 
as Trinidad and Guadaloupe. One vein or mine of it I have 
to describe in particular; it is that of " El Tajo." It is situ- 
ated on an elongated hill, above two hundred feet above the 
level of the Arroyo del Agua Verde, and but half a mile from 
its banks. The vein is an extensive one, was from two to 
three feet wide on the surface, but left in six feet at a depth 
of one hundred and twenty feet, in which the mine was 
abandoned some twenty-five years ago. Its history was, 
therefore, easily to be traced, and the conditioa in which it 
it was left ascertained. On and near the surface of the vein 
large quantities of galena were found, after which, little by 
little, zinc blende made its appearance, until at the depth of 
, one hundred and twenty feet, nothing but zinc blende, with 
now and then a small jjocket of gray silver ore was found. 
The vein, ■bs stated, was six feet wide, and consisted of pure 
ore. Granted, now, that little by little the zinc blende will 
disappear, again to be replaced by rich gray silver ore. What, 
if such an event takes place, will be the value of this mine? 
Millions could be extracted from it every year, and incred- 
ble as this may sound, it is nevertheless probable that such 
should and would be the result if my theory stands good, 
which it will, since it is not a mere abstract theory, but one 
founded on a great number of established facts. The future 
development of the mine will show whether I am in the right 
or not. The rock of which the hill is composed is a rather 
soft one, and a shaft alongside the old works of two hundred 
feet would go a great way in telling what is to come after 
the zinc blende. The sinking of such a shaft would not cost 
over 11000. 

The mine of Yerba Buena lies opposite that of El Tajo, 
and on the other side of the Arroyo del Agua Verde. From 
the surface of its veins rich silver ores were extracted. The 
saying is that it was abandoned on account of a large stream 
of water having been struck, but I rather incline to the be- 
lief that the appearance of zinc blende was the principal 
cause thereof. 



86 

A number of other veins have been superficially worked, 
but their history is more or less the same as that of El Tajo 
mine. All the mining facilities are here plentiful, and even 
the agricultural products could be raised alongside of the 
mines. I come now to one of the largest, most interesting, 
and most important mining districts in the Sierra Madre; I 
mean that of " La Ohipioua." Unlike La Iglesia, it is formed 
by groups of mountains, from 4000 to 6000 feet above the 
level of the sea, but, through its peculiar topography, never- 
theless accessible from all sides. Nay, the very height of 
the mountains and their size will contribute toward their de- 
velopment, in a mining sense of the word. In this district, 
as a rule, all the mountains are covered or capped by a thick 
stratum of porphyry. But in all the innumerable gulches 
and ravines, the green stone porphyry, with its never-failing 
iron pyrites, stands out in immense masses, and in one spot 
over twenty five acres of the very gray silver ore can be 
traced in a thousand small veins, running through the rock 
in every direction. The veins cropping out through the sur- 
face of the " caps" cannot be numbered, and are at the same 
time the most extensive ores in the Sierra Madre. The dis- 
trict of La Chipionajoinsthatof La Iglesia. It belongs, hke 
this, to the ore-bearing formation, and even more so, as the 
description of some of its mines will show. If I say that 
more than a hundred mines have been worked here I do not 
say too much, since within six months, while 1 was residing 
in La Cienegita (the most inhabited part of the Chipiona 
mines), I could not visit half of them. Some of the veins I 
I traced for five or six miles, without coming to their ter- 
minal in any direction. They all run from north to south^ or 
near to it, and their thickness lies between two and ten feet, 
but it increases as they go down, and, I believe, that in a 
depth of five hundred feet it will vary between ten and fifty 
feet. The ores of all these veins are, with the exception of a 
few, the same : a poor, gray silver ore, rich gray copper ore, 
intermixed with iron pj'rities, and in some instances also with 
copper pyrites. To a depth of from twenty to fifty feet these 
ores were decomposed — changed into a kind of red or yellow 
ocre. They freely entered into the smelting as well as into 
the amalgamation process; but below that depth the sulphu- 
rets made their appearance. They are, without being well 
reverberated, untreatable, and consequently of no use. But 
I doubt very much whether this will be the process by which 
these ores can be treated to advantage, since lead is scarce 
and expensive, not only all through the Sierra Madre, but 



87 

also over the whole of northern Mexico. The appearance of 
these sulphurets there was the cause why all these mines 
were abandoned again soon after they had been taken up. 

I shall describe some of the most important ores as a mere 
sample of the nature and importance of the Chipiona district. 
As some of the most interesting ores, I have to point out a 
number of veins of the same nature as that of El Tajo mine, 
in the Iglesia distriet. The principal one is La Mina Grande, 
called so from a vein on which it was founded. On the sur- 
face it contained large masses of galena, which, little by lit- 
tle, changed into zinc blende. When it was abandoned, the 
vein was from six to eight feet wide. All I have said of the 
El Tajo mine, in respect of what it might become, may also 
be applied to this mine, and perhaps more so, since its veins 
are not only wider, but also more favorably situated as to 
working to advantage, running along the side of a high 
mountain, so as to be opened by the driving of a tunnel. 
Next to the Mina Grande comes that of Ostemuri, an exten- 
sive vein, in which a great deal of work has been carried on. 
Here, too, zinc blende was the cause of the abandonment. 
Provided that in either of these three mines, those of El 
Tajo, La Grande or Ostemuri, the sinking of a shaft or the 
driving of a tunnel would prove that I am correct in respect 
to the ores found below the zinc blende, what would these 
three mines be worth, and what dividends could a company 
in possession thereof pay ? Millions would stand arrayed 
against the small risk of ^5,000. Ko further working capital 
would be required, as each mine, from the day of finding the 
rich ore, would become at once not only self supporting, but 
surplus producing. These three mines are so near one 
another, the greatest distance being but four leagues, that 
their works could be easily directed trom the some point. 

I come now to a description of a mountain peculiarly situ- 
ated, of a peculiar shape, and peculiarly interesting. It is 
that of Cerra Colorado, or La Chipiona proper. I might call 
it a mountain peninsula, since on three sides it is separated 
from urrounding mountains by deep gulches. On the south 
side ^t is connected therewith by a low isthmus or small 
platcui. From that isthmus it increases in height until its 
summit is 1,500 feet above the level of the Arroyo de las Bron- 
zas washing past its base. The cap of this isolated mountain 
is about three hundred feet thick, perhaps less. A very ex- 
tensive vein (the principal one) crops out on its summit, 
and, following the ridge, loses itself in the isthmus, to reap- 
pear on the mountain coming down from the isthmus. Over 



88 

this second mountain I have followed it for some three miles, 
without finding its termini. In this vein a considerable 
amount of work has been carried on, and in some places to no 
inconsiderable depth. All the ores extracted from it were 
decomposed ores (originally gray silver ores and iron pyrites). 
In all parts of the vein the working of it was given up as soon 
as the sulphurets were reached. Besides this, a hundred 
mines of the same nature were worked, and for the same 
cause abandoned. 

Seven years ago, when I was for the last time in the 
Ohipiona district, but one mine was miserably worked. I 
now come to the part of the mountain above described, to 
to which I would call the special attention of the geologist 
and miner. It is this: the immense base of it — the circum- 
ferance, which comprises six to eight miles. Around all this 
base greenstone, porphyry with iron pyrites, stand out and on 
one side, the eastern, a thousand small veins of gray silver 
ore run in every direction through the rock, through the 
same kind of rock and in the same way as in the Dios Padre 
mine of La Trinidad. Besides this, the exterior of both 
mountains (not in shape) of La Chipiona and La Trinidad is 
the same. Why, then, should we not infer from all this that 
the exterior of the mountain bears the same relation to its 
interior as the exterior of the Dios Padre mine to its interior? 

Geology would cease to be a science, and would be of no 
"use if such inferences, based on so many facts, could not be 
drawn or would not be accepted. I have so far described four 
mountains, the heads or interior of which must be considered 
as bearing ore, and of a similar nature as that of the Dios 
Padre mine. They all four belong to the same formation, 
the same period of geological creation, and have the same 
rocks, ores and appearances in common. The most northern 
of these four mountains is that of La Chipiona; eight leagues 
from it lies that of La Huerta de Yulapa; four leagues from 
this that of Dios Padre, and seven leagues from that, the 
mountain of Guadaloupe Sierra de la Hierra, some eighteen 
leagues from one extreme to the other. Founded on these 
facts, since facts they may be considered, I ask the question, 
of what are the hearts or interiors of all the mountains lying 
between and around the four mountains mentioned and de- 
scribed composed? I boldly answer, of ore, some in a less 
and some in a higher degree; some with but very little of 
it, and some with a great deal; some with ore of a poor and 
others of a richer nature. The calculation of the sum total 
of the riches ihey may contain I leave to some mathema- 



89 

tician who delights in such calculatious, as some Americana 
do ill calculating the population the Uaited States will have 
in 6000 years from now. 

All the mouDtains of which the district of La Ohipiona is 
composed, comprising some two hundred and fifty square 
miles, are covered with the finest forests in the Sierra 
Madre. 

Oak and pine abound everywhere, from the depth of the 
gulch to the highest peak of the mountains. Grass is no 
less abundant, since the whole two hundred and fift}' miles 
form an almost continuous meadow. 

Of water, the only stream of any consequence is the Arroyo 
de las Bronzas, a tributary of the Arroyo de I'Agua Verde. 
In the dry season it almost dries up, but there are a thou- 
sand places where artificial water reservoirs could be con- 
structed, and filled to the brim in the rainy season, when 
water falls most abundantly. The projected Pacific Rail- 
road touches this district as well as La Iglesia and La 
Carita. 

Agricultural products for the maintenance of a large pop- 
ulation could be raised in the low lands of Sonora, and within 
the mining districts, where good soil abounds. 

The distance to Guayamas is seventy leagues. The Lidian 
village of Taharachi lies inside the Ohipiona district. In the 
east of the Ohipiona district lies the district of La Cienegita 
Amargosa. It belongs to the same formation as all the rest 
of the Sierra Madre districts so far described. In it, too, a 
great number of veins crop out on the surface, some of them 
worked. There is one vein I discovered; it is one hundred 
feet wide, which has never been touched, and promises to 
lead into the interior of an ore-bearing mountain of great 
extent. 

The surface of all the mountains of the Amargosa Oienegita 
district is, already stated, gold-bearing (in the description of 
the Sonora gold mines). The mountain described there as 
paying ^12 per ton of decomposed porphyry and iron pj'rites 
forms the most eastern part of this district. By all I know 
of the geology and raining of Sonora I am convinced that the 
interior of this immense mountain is very rich in silver ores, 
perhaps richer than any of the other ore-bearing mountains 
heretofore descri bed. 

The Arroyos of Amargosa and Oienegita have their rise 
in this district. They are tributaries to the Arroyo del Agua 
Verde, and small but permanent streamlets, of the best drink- 
ing water, are consequently of much importance in a region 



90 

whero most of the waters are impregnated with dissolved 
mineral substances. The brook of La Amargosa is the ema- 
nation of a mineral spring (steel water), and as such highly 
prized by the surrounding population. 

The forests of Cienegita Amargosa district being very 
dense and the mountains above the elevation, where grass 
grows freely, this article is scarce in some parts of the dis- 
trict, but found in great abundance in the remaining parts. 
Leaving the Cienegita Amargosa district and taking the road 
for Mulatos one has to pass over the highest ridge in that part 
of the Sierra Madre. It is, like all other high ridges of the 
mountain ranges, composed of trachyte. Arrived on the 
other side, one looks down into a deep valley. It is the bed 
of the Rio de Mulatos, the southern branch of the Yaqui 
river, cQming almost from the plateau of Chihuahua. It is 
a principal stream, and the day will come when it will be of 
immense value to mining. On the banks of this stream lies 
the mining town of Mulatos, with some some 1500 half 
starved inhabitants, although living on riches uncounted. 

The gold mines of Mulatos were once, as I have already 
said, famous, not only through all Sonora, but also all 
through Mexico. As a silver mining district I cannot say 
less of it, since all its mountains showing gold near the sur- 
face will change into silver-bearing mountains after certain 
depths have been reached. There is a vein in the Mulatos 
district the ores of which produce the white copper hereto- 
fore only found in China. What its components are I am 
not aware of. Veins bearing silver ores on the very surface 
have so far not been found. Timber, wood and grass are 
rather scarce in the neighborhood of Mulatos, and all pro- 
visions must be brought from the Sahuaripa valley. The 
egress and ingress from and to the town are very difficult, 
and since a direct connection with the future Pacific Railroad 
is almost imposible, a mountain range 7000 feet in height 
lying between them, I must say that the district of Mulatos 
lies under s-reat disadvantacje. On the Eastern side of the 
river lies the mining district of Dolores, said to be rich in 
silver mines; but since I never saw it raj'self I pass it, and 
shall continue to pass all the mining districts of which noth- 
ing ot importance is to be said. All that broad piece of 
country lying between the districts of La Trinidad and Gua- 
daloupe and the boundary line of Chihuahua belongs to the 
same ore-bearing formation as all the districts of the Sierra 
Madre heretofore described. 

But as nowhere veins of any nature (some gold-bearing 



, . 91 

veins excepted) crop out on the surface, I shall not consider 
it a bona fide raining ground, although lying between the 
great eastern andwestern mining districts, thelatterof which 
I have still to describe. Theoretically speaking, I must look 
on these hundreds of square miles as ore-bearing, and the 
future mining will prove that I was entitled to do so. 

The most interesting and, perhaps, the richest gold mine 
of Sonora exists in the Sierra Madre, east of the Sahuaripa 
river, and behind the most western range of these mountains. 
It lies in the silver mining district of La Cienegita, and on 
both sides of the little streamlet of La Amagosa, the waters 
of which are charged with iron (steel water). This sireamlet 
divides a long, wide and high gold bearing mountain into 
two parts. On the point where it comes out of it, or from 
between them, these mountains reach about 2000 feet above 
the level of the little flat in front of them. The rock which 
contains the gold is a kind of decomposed green stone por- 
phj'ry and surcharged with oxide of iron (decomposed iron 
pyrites). Take away a ton. of ore from 'these mountains 
wherever you ma}^ and you will find that it pays you from 
|10 to $12 dollars a ton of 2000 lbs. By describing the geo- 
logical character of this district when coming to the silver 
mines of Sonora, I shall refer once more to these two moan- 
tains, and tell ray readers what their bowels contain. For 
the present I will _ add, that what is found on the surface of 
these two mountains is but an indication of what is sleeping 
in their interior. On different and exceedingly rich spots 
large quantities of gold were found, but the bulk of the ore 
has never been worked.— The forec/oinr/ description of the dis- 
tricts of La Oariia, La Ghipiona, La Armicjosa and Los Mu- 
latos are from a report by Prof. Julius Miller, an engineer and 
geologist. 

In the Moctezuma district, the La Providencia, originally- 
called La Palraita, mine is situated eighteen railes northeast 
of Oposura. This mine was discovered in 1803, and was 
worked by Spaniards up to 1811, by the records. At this 
date the records were destroyed, and it is unknown when the 
mine was last worked. The incline is irregular in the vein; 
depth, 100 feet; width, 4 feet; assay averages $125 per ton. 
Some of the surface croppings, we have been told, went as 
high as $806. The old shafts were abandoned and filled with 
rubbish; the pillars were extracted by gambucinos, leaving 
the mine in a ruinous condition. The i'ntention is to sink a 
new shaft and put up a ten-stamp mill. A trail leads to the 



92 

mine, but no wagon road. This mine was rediscovered by 
a Russian gentlenaan, who brought specimens of the ore to 
Harshaw, in Arizona and had them assaj^ed, and there met a 
raining expert from this cit}'^, who examined the ore and 
found it rich, and placed the mine with some gentlemen in 
this city, who are now making preparations to extensively 
open it. 

The San Antonio Mineral, in the Altar district, possesses 
some good mines. The Descubridora mine is situated in this 
Mineral, and is owned by the Sigs. Cipriano Ortega and Abe- 
lardo Ortiz, and is within the zone of twenty leagues of the 
frontier boundary upon the Territory of Arizona. The mine 
is developed by five tunnels. ' The vein runs north and south, 
and its width is from one to four feet. The depth reached is 
313 metres, with an inclination of vein of twenty degrees. 
The metals contained in the ore are gold, silver and lead, 
and the ley is $16 in gold and $82 in silver, and 7.2 per cent, 
of lead. The ore is reduced by machinery established in the 
same Mineral, in which is located the American company, 
entitled the San Antonio Gold Mining Company. This mill 
puts in motion two batteries of five stamps each. The labor- 
ers engaged in the workings of this mine vary from twenty 
to thirty. 

The mine of Cerro de Oro, or Hill of Gold, is in the Min- 
eral of San Antonio. This mine is owned by Sigs. Cipriano 
Ortega and Abelardo Ortiz, and is situated within the zone 
of twenty leagues on the frontier bounding Arizona. The 
workings consist of two tunnels, the first 41 metres in depth 
and the second 45. The metals of this mine assay in gold 
$25 and $56 in silver, and carry 70 per cent of lead. The ore 
is reduced by the machinery of San Antonio. The vein of 
this mine runs east and west, with a width of 2|- metres and 
an inclination of 35 degrees. 

The mine of Vieja de Oro is owned by Sigs. Cipriano Or- 
tega and Abelardo Ortiz, in the zone before-mentioned bound- 
ing Arizona. The mine is developed by one shaft 22 metres 
in depth. The assay of the mine reaches $40 per ton in gold. 
The ore is reduced in the mineral above mentioned. The 
vein of the mine runs east and west, and is 3 feet in width, 
with an inclination of 50 degrees. 

The Rebozadero mine is owned by the same parties be- 
fore-mentioned, and is located near the other mines. The 
mine has been developed by four shafts and one tunnel, and 
reaches in depth 55 metres. The vein runs southeast and 
northwest; width from 2 to 5 feet, with inclination of 20 de- 



93 

grees, and assays $15 per ton, gold. The Cobriza is also 
owned by the same parties, and is located near the others. 
The mine has one shaft, 12 metres in depth. The vein runs 
east and west; width, 1 metre; inclination 35 degrees. The 
assay is $25 per ton, in gold. 

The Resales mine is owned by Sigs, Francisco, Abel and 
Jose M. del Castillo, and is located adjoining the mines before 
mentioned, in the San Antonio Mineral. This mine has two. 
shafts and four drifts, which reach the centre of the work- 
ings, about 180 feet. The vein runs from south to north,, 
and its width is from 1 to 4 feet; inclination, 85 degrees.. 
The ores by arrastras produce in gold $30 per ton, and is 
worked by four barreteros, or miners. 

The mine of Ruisena is located in the Mineral of Plomosos 
and in the twenty-league belt, northeast of Altar. The mine 
is owned by Sr. Don Francisco Lizarraga. The vein courses 
east and west, and in width reaches 75 centimetres (one 
metre is 39.37-100 inches, and a centimetre is about .39-100 
of an inch). The inclination is 40 degrees. The walls are 
firm, and the ores carry gold and silver. The workings are- 
new, and consist of one tunnel, reaching the principal vein. 
The depth attained is 75 metres, and one shaft of 9 metres,, 
and with other workings make in all some 327 metres. The 
present " labores" are in abundant metal; 25 laborers are 
employed in the mine. The metals are reduced in the 
works of the Mineral of Aribaca, in the territory of Arizona, 
distant from the mine about 30 leagues. The ley of the 
metal of the third class has assayed $801 per ton. 

The mine Providencia is located in the Mineral of Sonoyta. 
This mine is owned by Sigs. C. Ortega and A. Ortiz, and is 
located within the 20-league boundary, northwest of Altar. 
This mine has one shaft and one drift, and the depth reached. 
is 35 metres. The vein runs south and north; width, 1 me-- 
tre; inclination, 35 degrees, and carries in the ores gold, sil- 
ver, copper and lead. The ley is $8 gold, $40 silver, $20 in: 
copper and $52 in lead per ton. The ore is reduced in the 
beneficio of San Antonio, This mine has ten laborers. 

The Rosario mine is in the Sonoyta Mineral, and is owned 
by the same parties last mentioned. This mine has 4 shafts, 
and depth reached is 50 metres. The vein runs south and 
north; width, 2 feet — in some places IJ varas; inclination, 
70 degrees. The ore yields $180 per ton silver and is reduced^ 
by arastras. The mine is worked by five laborers. 

The San Francisco mine is located in the Mineral of th& 
same name. This mine is owned by Don Cipriano Ortega,, 



94 

and. is also located within the twenty-league belt. The vein 
extends north and south; width 1 to three feet; inclination, 
55 degrees. The ley isf40 per ton gold. The ore is reduced 
in Fremont, Arizona, about twelve leagues distant. The 
mine is worked by four shafts; depth reached 225 feet, and 
employs 30 men. 

The San Francisco mine, in the Mineral of Corazon, is 
owned by Sr. Manuel Escalante and associates, and is situated 
about 25 leagues from the American line. The workings 
consist of shafts and drifts, which have reached 240 feet in 
depth. The vein runs south and north; width, 2| metres; 
inclination, 75 degrees, and assays $20 gold and $56 in silver 
per ton. The ore is reduced by arastras, and occupies eight 
workmen. 

The Mina Grande is located in the Mineral of Juarez. 
This mine is owned by Sigs. Modesto Borquez, Benigno V. 
Garcia and Justo Bon. It is located about 42 leagues from 
the American line. The vein runs southeast to northwest; 
width, 3 to 12 feet, inclination, 35 degrees. The ores contain 
gold and silver, and the ley is $50 in gold and $15 in silver 
per ton. The arastra is used, and 13 workmen are employed. 
The " labores" are new, and consist of shafts and drifts. 
The depth reached is 370 feet. 

The Juarez mine is located in the Mineral of the same 
name. This mine is owned by the Sigs. Jesus Castro and 
Jose O. Velasco, and is about 42 leagues from the American 
line. The vein runs southeast to northwest; width, 3 to 6 
feet; inclination 75 degrees. The ley is $30 per ton silver. 
The workings are new and consist of 2 shafts, depth 170 feet. 
The ores are reduced by arastras, and eight workmen are 
employed in the mine. 

The San Felix mine is located in a Mineral of the same 
name, and is owned by Albert Sturges and brothers, and is 
within 56 leagues of the American Hue. The course of the 
vein is north and south; width, 6 feet; inclination, 15 de- 
grees. The assay runs from $35 to $2000 per ton. The ores 
are worked at reduction works, called " LasTanquas," about 
five leagues from the mine. — [" Perito de Minas del Distrito 
de Altar."] — From an official report on the mines of Sonora, in 
the Altar district. 

The Quintera mine is owned by a New York company, 
who purchased it last September from Mexicans. The prin- 
cipal owners are Messrs. McFarland and Morgan, of New 
York. The mine cost $210,000— $25,000 in cash, one half 



95 

the balance in six months and remainder in one year. The 
property is said to be a good one. A 15 stamp mill is now- 
reducing the ore, that has reached as high as $1000 per ton. 

The Santa Juliana Mining Co. of New York, lately organ- 
ized, have purchased the Santa Juliana and Mina del Padre 
silver mines. These mines are located in the municipality of 
Baroyeca, district of Alamos, about 65 miles from the city of 
Alamos, and 24 miles from the Yaqui river. The Santa Juli- 
ana is an old mine, formerly worked by the Spaniards and 
lately by the Mexicans. The old works are the Trojas, Dies 
Padre, San Francisco, San Juan, Santa Loreto, San Benito, 
Santa Rosa, Trousou Nuevo, Milagres, Congojas, San Ignacio, 
Salsipuedes and many others. The ores are docile and con- 
tain ruby-silver and sub-sulphides. The old pillars assay from 
$100 to $107 per ton. The Santa Juliana proper has a gen- 
eral E. 14: degrees N. course, with a dip of 45 degrees N. Its 
width varies from five to fifteen feet with walls firm and well 
encased. The gangue is principally quartz. It shows all the 
phenomena constituting a true vein, as far as explored from 
the surface to a depth of 700 feet, and in all the lateral works. 

The Befugio mines are situated 25 miles east of Hermos- 
illo, and about 25 miles from the Sonora railroad, 95 miles 
from Guaymas, on the Gulf of California. The mines are con- 
nected with Guaymas by the Sonora railroad. These mines 
were discovered by some prominent merchants of the district 
about a year ago and were purchased from them by the Refu- 
gio Mining Company of Santa Fe, N.M. The mines are situated 
on the Las Norias ranch, adjoining the celebrated San Juan de 
Dios mine, abundantly supplied with timber of good quality, 
and water sufficient for all milling and smelting purposes. 
The property is about 2700 feet long by 700 feet wide. The 
vein strikes apparently N. E. and S. W., and dips nearly ver- 
tically, although as no walls have, as yet, been encountered, 
actual data cannot be given. However, at the poinl where 
work has been done, the ore body has been proved to exceed 
7 feet in width without meeting with the wall rock, indicating 
at any rate an enormous body of mineral. The surrounding 
country rock is composed of limestone and porphyry. _ 

The mineral is carbonate of lead, carrying a considerable 
amount of silver. Numerous assays of the value have been 
made, varying from 35 to 75 per cent, of lead, and from 40 to 
300 ounces of silver, also from $10 to $45 in gold. In the 
adjoining San Juan de Dios mine there exists an ore body 
of about'e feet wide, reaching $1,850 per ton, also 10 feet of 
solid mineral at the end of the tunnel, none of which has a 
value of less than 150 ounces of silver. 



96 / 

It will thus be seen that the ore is essentially a smelting 
ore, and one that is perhaps more easily reduced than any the 
miner has to deal with. All necessary works for smelting the 
ore are now in course of construction within 1^ miles of the 
mine. 

From the reports of W. A. Jones, on the Jesus Maria mines 
on January 1st, 1881 : — " The mine is situated on one of the 
tributaries of the Mayo river, 40 miles northeast of Alamos, 
state of Sonora. The mine has a length of 2600 feet, by 600 
feet in width, well defined ledge, and is enclosed between lime- 
stone and porphyr}^, the latter being the hanging wall. The 
ore-bearing material has a width of about 100 feet, samples of 
which assayed according to report from $15^oV to $19t"oV per 
ton. l^otwithstanding the low grade of the samples, from the 
nature and the great extent of the body of the ore, it is a prop- 
erty well worthy of development, with every promise of open- 
ing up into a large and valuable mine." 

" The principal mine of the Plomo Mineral of the Altar dis- 
trict is the Ruisena gold mine and its continuation. This 
mine is located four miles from the village of El Plomo, and 
some 45 miles N. W. of Altar. The vein is a fissure with the 
hanging and foot wall of granite. Width of vein 3 to 3^ feet 
at a depth of 270 feet. The old workings cover an extent of 
over 3000 feet underground, with surface workings extending 
over 5000 feet. The ores carry sulphurets of iron and copper 
and are refractory, with an average result of about $100 per ton. 
This mine has been worked for the last fifty years. The re- 
duction works are located about four miles distant at El 
Plomo, and consist of a ten stamp mill, concentrators, and two 
water jacket furnaces. The refining works have a capacity of 
20 tons per day. 

This property is worked in connection Math a large lead 
mine called " Abundancia," located near the works, the vein 
of which averages 4|- feet. The lead ores carry near 50 per 
cent, lead and 20 oz. silver, and about one oz. in gold. 

The property is owned by a company incorporated in Chi- 
cago in June, 1882, the majority interests being held by Chi- 
cago capitalists. Mr. J. Sherman Hall is the Secretary of the 
company.-'— [Report by Mr. D. Tooker, M. E.] 

About two miles from the Ruisena mine, a very rich pocket 
of gold was discovered some 20 years ago that yielded nearly 
a quarter of a million of dollars, all taken out in about three 
weeks. Some further prospecting has been done but this is 
the principal strike of this region. 

The "Sonora Chief" mine is located in the Carbonera 



97 

monntains on the east side of San Miguel river, about 9 miles 
north of San Miguel, Carbonera Mineral, TJres district. The 
vein is a contact vein, formation, porphyry hanging wall and 
lime foot wall, width of vein 7 to 10 feet at a depth of 140 
feet. The ores carry carbonate of lead and oxide of iron, and 
is a free smelting ore, carrying about 40 per cent, lead and 
from 80 to 100 oz. of silver per ton. The intention of the 
present operators is to ship the ore over Sonora railway direct 
to San Francisco, or Benson Reduction works. 

The Jesus Maria mine is located at a point near Carbo 
station some seven miles distant, and is a large deposit of car- 
bonate of lead and iron, lying nearly flat, which is developed 
by several open cuts and shafts, showing ore from 4 to 20 feet 
in thickness. The ores carry about 30 per cent, lead and 40 
oz. of silver per ton. The ore will be shipped to Benson if 
reasonable rates can be secured. 

The "Santa Felicita" mine is situated about 24 miles north- 
west from the city of Altar, and about 8 miles north of the 
town of Caborca, in the Altar mining district. The vein is a 
true fissure ; width, from 5 to 18 feet, at a depth of 320 feet. 
The ore is a free-milling gold, carrying $30 to $80 per ton in. 
gold, and from 70 to 80 ounces in silver. Tiie ore body is 
decomposed quartz, with hanging wall granite, and foot wall 
porphyry. This property has been worked from 10 to 12 
years. The "Santa Felicita Mining and Milling Co.," of 
Chicago, own and work the property, reducing the ore by a 
20 stamp mill. This mine is said to be one of the most valu- 
able in northwestern Sonora. 

The Bonaiiea gold mine is located about three miles east of 
the Santa Felicita, and has a vein of ore from two to five feet 
wide, of the same character and about the same value as that 
of the Santa Felicita. This mine also belongs to the same 
company. 

The above-named company are being amply remunerated 
for their investment. Dr. Davis, of Chicago, the Secretary, 
from whom we obtained the above data, says the net profits 
upon the working of the property reaches from $24,000 to 
$30,000 per month, and that the company is so well satisfied 
with their investment that they refuse to allow its stock to be 
quoted on the market, or the property to be sold. 

In speaking of the old mines of Sonora, Francisco Yelasco 
Bays that the old Spaniards generally confined themselves to 
the high grade ores, and when they were no longer in abun- 
dance they abandoned the mine, which then became choked 
or filled with water. "Windlasses or pulleys at that time 



98 



were almost unknown; and where the mine coald not be 
kept free of water by buckets, it was abandoned." All of 
which plainly indicates that old. mines, as a rule, had better 
be very closely examined before any extensive outlay is 
entered upon; and since the mineral wealth of Soiiora is 
almost unlimited, a good, new mine, with paying ore, or 
an old mine with present evidence of its richness, is better 
than abandoned or exijausted mines with a past reputation 
of almost fabulous wealth. When a mine has produced its 
millions, generally there is not much paying ore left to warrant 
an extensive reopening. 

The Santa Clara Coal Fields of Sonora. 

" These coal fields are situated in the district of Ures, Jur- 
isdiction of San Javier, and Mineral or mining district of La 
Barranca, about 100 miles due east from Hermoriillo, and 
about 120 miles north-east from the port of Guaymas, four 
miles east from the Barranca mine, about 12 miles east 
of the town of San Javier, and about three and a half miles 
west of the Yaqui River. 

"These coal beds were first denounced by William Lub- 
bert, Napoleon Graff, Thomas Mahan, Frank Ench, and An- 
tonio Cubillos, on the 26th day of April, 1872. At the 
present date the property is owned exclusively by E". Grafi:', 
Florence E. Rountree, A. Cubillos, and F. Ench. The title 
of the above property vests in said parties, and is free from 
all incumbrances up to Jan. 1st, 1881, when, at that date, 
the property was bonded to Charles A. McQuesteu, of this 
city. The property is held by the above-named parties as 
an association. 

" The property consists of extensive deposits of anthracite 
coal," with some appearances of being partly bituminous, 
which indicates thal^ there must be extensive coal beds of 
both anthracite and bituminous coal. " The coal beds de- 
nounced are contained in one square league of land. Up to 
the present date two well-defined veins of coal have been 
exposed. 

" The first consists of a vein nine feet six inches thick, that 
lias been developed I>y explorations and examinations on 
the side of a mountain. 

" In some places, the vein is within about from one to four 
feet from the surface. This vein can be traced for about 
1,000 feet horizontally, and about 500 feet above the base of 
the mountain, and extending toward the summit of the 



99 

mountaiD. One extensive tunnel has been run on this vein, 
following its dip. l!To explorations have been nude above 
the point above mentioned; but indications show that this 
vein has a much larger area. The incline of the vein is 
20 degrees S. S. E., the dip east by north-east. At a dis- 
tance'of 22 feet below the point of location of the above- 
mentioned vein is another vein of about seven feet in 
thickness. This vein is reached by a shaft on the opposite 
side of the creek, on the side of the mountain opposite. On 
the side of the mountain, several excavations have deter- 
mined the thickness of the vein. At the foot of this mount- 
ain is a canon about 100 yards wide, on the opposite side of 
which rises a high and rugged mountain. This canon is 
about six miles long, commencing at the Taramari mine and 
ending near the l^aqui River. The coal veins are about 
one-half the distance between these points, or about two 
and one-half miles from the Yaqui River bottoms. 

"The bed of this canon can be made into a good wagon 
road with little work, from the coal veins to the river. 
Water is found in the canon at a depth of eight feet. In 
many places in this canon, slate and many indications of coal 
are found. The geological formation of the vicinity and the 
character of the coal is as follows: The mountain ranges in 
the immediate vicinity of the coal are very rugged, with 
steep sides, covered with trees, cactus plants, and other trop- 
ical vegetation. The average elevation of the range of 
mountains is about 3,000 feet above the sea level. 

" The range of mountains is continuous for over 100 miles 
running north, and about twenty south, of the location of the 
coal beds. They form the mountains bordering on both sides 
of the valley of the Yaqui River. Placers of gold that have 
yielded very richly, are located near the valley of the Yaqui, 
one man having in a single season extracted $30,000 from 
this same canon where the coal beds are located. The 
Yaqui River is about three-and-a-half miles from the present 
workings of the mine; and the coal mine is very easy of 
access by a road to be constructed through the canon, up a 
gentle incline. At present there is no road for wagons. 
Horses and mules are therefore used to reach the mines. 
With very little work a wagon-road could be constructed, or 
even a railroad, direct to the river's bank. For a distance 
of about ninety miles from the mouth, the Yaqui River is 
navigable for barges or flat boats; and at this point rocks 
and rapids impede a further passage, except for small boats, 
which are carried around the rapids by "carriers," at the 



100 



mouth of the canon opposite the coal fields. The river at 
this point is about 200 feet wide and four feet deep, during 
the dry season; but during the rainy season a considerable 
increase in the volume of water takes place. Engineers 
state that the river can be made navigable for barges from 
the point opposite the cauon before mentioned, to the mouth 
of the river, a distance, by following the course of the river, 
of about 120 miles. The Yaqui River lands, for a distance 
of 100 miles above its moath, are noted for the richness of 
the soil, and the large crops, " as before mentioned." "A rail- 
road can easily be built from the mine to the river, and fol- 
lowing near the difierent windings of the river north, to 
enter the United States near Tombstone, where a market can 
be found for a large quantity of coal for milling purposes, 
and also for smelting furnaces, used to smelt the rich argent- 
iferous and galena ores that abound in that region; and also 
through northern and middle Sonora, where hundreds of 
mines containing smelting-ore require a coal suitable for 
smelting purposes; or south, through the rich valley of the 
Yaqui River bottom, where millions of acres of the finest 
land in the world are awaiting the emigrant to cultivate its 
soil; and on to the port of Guaymas, where a market can be 
found for a large amount of coal for steamers that regularly 
ply from San Francisco and that port, and for vessels of war 
of England, United States, and other nations, that regularly 
touch at Guaymas. 

" From Guaymas, barges can ply between that port and 
Mazatlan, or Cape St. Lucas, in Lower California, where a 
depot of coal could readily find a sale in supplying ocean 
steamers that ply between China, Japan, Australia, Pa- 
nama and San Francisco, with a prospect in the near future 
of supplying coal to the fleets of steamers that will ply 
through the Isthmus of Panama Canal. Barges could also 
take the coal direct from the Yaqui, up the gulf, to the Col- 
orado River, to Yuma; there supplying the steamers on that 
river, the several railroads that pass over this river, and 
the mills on and near this river, where steamers now go up 
a distance of about 200 miles from Yuma. Vessels could 
also transport this coal direct from the Yaqui to San Fran- 
cisco, where a ready demand for anthracite coal will result, 
in large sales, as at present all anthracite coal used in San 
Francisco comes from Pennsylvania." (Extract from the 
report of Charles A. McQuesten, of this city, on the 
Santa Clara coal fields of Sonora.) We might add that the 
Mexican Congress has lately approved of the concession to 



101 



Mr. Robert R. Symon for the construction of a railroad from 
the above coal, fields to El Morrito, on the Bay of Guay- 
mas. Thus it will be seen that this coal will soon be on the 
market. 

Quicksilver, Graphite, Marble, Copper, Lead, Coal, 

Iron, Etc. 

The ores of the mines of Santa Teresa and Santa Ana 
contain quicksilver, and tradition says that the mineral re- 
gion of Rio Cliico also produces this metal. 

In San Jose' de la Pimas there is a small hill entirely com- 
posed of graphite or black lead. 

In San Javier is a vein of a dark color on the face of a 
hill, from which is extracted a compact substance which, 
when dissolved in water, produces a fine ink, which is sim- 
ilar to India ink, from China. 

In Oposura, there is a hill composed of excellent marble, 
of which the altars and churches of Sonora are built. 

At Ures, there is also another marble quarry. 

The celebrated hill of "La Campana," in the city of Her- 
mosillo, is composed entirely of marble as white as that of 
Italy, and it is used, in some instances, to pave the streets. 
Alabaster and jasper are found also at Oposura and Ures. 
Copper is found in the mduntain range of La Cananea, north 
of Arispe. 

Aduaiia, (an old region of gold mines) Tonuco, 36 miles 
west of Ilermosillo, and Bacuachi and La Cobriza, west of 
Ilorcasitas, all contain copper ores. 

Lead abounds in Cieueguilla and Arispe, Batuco, San 
Jos6 de Gracia, Aduana, and Promontorio. 

Agua Caliente and Alamo Muerto contain lead, although 
it is found in the greatest quantities at Cieueguilla and 
Arispe. 

Coal is found near Los Bronces and La Baranca, be- 
fore mentioned, where a vein of from seven to nine feet is 
found. 

Ii'on is found in abundance in the southern part of Ari- 
zona, in the range of mountains called Madera, and in the 
northern part of Sonora, and at Mogollou. 

In the neighborhood of Cucurpe there is a vein of in- 
combustible crystal. 



SINALOA. 



CHAPTER I. 

General Description. 

From the river Mayo to Alamos, in Sonora, the country 
is an extension of rolling hills, and from thence down to the 
coast and the valley of the river Fuerte, bordering Sinaloa. 
Here the " tierra caliente " plain is encountered that ex- 
tends all the way down the coast, through the whole length 
of the State of Sinaloa. The town of Fuerte is located on 
the river Fuerte, about 80 miles from the mouth. The 
river is navigable for flat-boats up to this point. An exten- 
sive valley below Alamos extends almost due south, between 
the mountains on the east and the low range of hills on the 
west, until it opens into the valley of the Fuerte and the 
plains located south. The Fuerte -River is about 200 miles 
long, and rises north-east in the Sierra Madre, and flows 
south-west into the Gulf of California. The next river en- 
countered is the Sinaloa, which rises in the neighborhood of 
the south-western part of Chihuahua, and flows in a south- 
westerly course, describing a section of a circle through 
placers of gold situated east of the town of irdnaloa, about 
25 miles. Here the river winds in a curve to the east and 
again to the west, within a space of about eight miles, 
then continues its course, passing the town of Sinaloa, situ- 
ated on its banks, and flows south-west into the gulf. A 
small peninsula completely hides its mouth from the open 
waters of the gulf. Another peninsula juts out in an oppo- 
site direction, forming a very good harbor for small vessels. 
The river is about 180 miles in lengtb. The Mocorito Ar- 
royo or creek is next crossed, and another small stream, 
until the river of Culiacau is reached, which i-ises in the 
western part of Durango, near Tamasula, and flows south- 
west into the gulf, the mouth of which is also hidden 
behind an island, forming a very good roadstead, called the 

102 



103 

Puerto de Altata. The city of Culiacan is located on the 
banks of this river, opposite the point where the Eio de 
Hamaya empties into the Culiacan River. This river is 
about 150 miles long, and on each side of it sp.urs of the 
Sierra Madre jut out into the plain within about 30 miles of 
the coast; the valley of Culiacan being at this point 15 
miles wide. The Rio de San Lorenzo is next reached, that 
flows south-west direct into the gulf. The great mining dis- 
trict of Cosala lies south-east of this river, near its source; 
the town of Cosala being about 10 miles south from its 
banks. This river runs through a valley of narrow width, 
the whole distance, until it reaches the plains beyond. 

A valley branches from the valley of San Lorenzo up to 
Cosala, with a gentle incline, when it again commences to 
slope on the other side down a valley or canon to the Elota 
River. This river also rises in the western part of Durango, 
and flows south-west into the gulf. This river is about 110 
miles long, and has numerous branches. In the neighbor- 
hood of its branches, in its canons and ravines, and on the 
slopes of the mountains adjacent, are' some of the most cele- 
brated mines of gold and silver in the state. The Rio de 
Piastla also rises in Durango, in its western part, near the 
celebrated mines of San Dimas, and flows south-west, pass- 
ing San Ignacio, and empties into the gulf. The valley of 
Piastla is also very narrow; but some exceedingly fertile 
lands are found in its bottoms, as in many other portions of 
the state. 

Another small arroyo is reached, and we enter into the 
thickly-settled region adjacent to the city of Mazatlan. The 
port of Mazatlan is located on the coast, about half-way be- 
tween the mouth of the arroyo last mentioned and the river 
of Mazatlan. This river also rises in the canons of Durango, 
about 20 miles across the border line of the state of Sina- 
loa, and beyond the mines of Ventanas, and flows south-west 
abont 50 miles, and then takes a course almost due south, 
and empties into the gulf, or rather Pacific Ocean; the 
moniii of the Gulf of California being now reached. The 
poiiiu where the river discharges itself into the sQa is about 
15 miles below Mazatlan City. The Rosario River also rises 
acroGo the border line of the state, in Durango, and flows 
south-west, into the ocean, passing El Rosario, in the neigh- 
borhood of which are located some very rich mines. Above 
the mouth of this river, and lying in from the coast, is 
located the lagoon or lake of El Caimanero, which is about 
12 miles long, and about 4 miles in width at its widest 
point. 



104 

The Rio de las Canas, at the southern border of the State, 
separating Sinaloa from Jalisco, flows in the same direction 
as the E-osario River, and empties into the bay or lagoon of 
Boca de Tecopan, a narrow inlet of the sea which winds 
into the plain about live miles, and then spreads north in a 
narrow body of water about ten miles, and south about 
thirty-five miles, into an extensive body of water in the 
southern part. It is said it may be made one of the finest 
harbors in the world, and would contain all the fleets of the 
globe. With such a harbor as this at Mazatlan the most power- 
ful city of the Pacific Coast would spring up upon its shores. 
This harbor is located about fifty miles below Mazatlan. 
The Tierra Caliente plain, before referred to, is about 300 
miles long, and intersected by the rivers and streams before 
mentioned; and at its widest part is about forty miles in 
width, with extensive valleys branching up the banks of the 
rivers, some of which are 100 miles in length — the valley of 
the Fuerte being the largest. The foot-hills of the mount- 
ains are covered with timber, such as cedar, and the varie- 
ties of oak. The State of Sinaloa extends over an area of 
nearly 3,600 square miles, and has a population of about 
200,000. The surface of the plains of the coast is low and 
somewhat sandy, though the soil is very fertile. Its pro- 
ductions are similar to Sonora, though to a less extent. 
Dye-woods abound on the coast and toward the Sierra Madre, 
and on the eastern frontier there abound extensive forests 
of pine and cedar covering the mountain sides adjacent to 
the streams. The rivers flowing into the gulf are used to 
irrigate adjacent land during the dry season. The state is 
divided into nine districts, viz., Mazatlan, Rosario, Concor- 
dia, Cosala, San Ignacio, Mocorito, Fuerte, Sinaloa, and 
Culiacan. The state is bounded on the north and north- 
west by Sonora; and north and north-east by Chihuahua; 
and east by Durango; and south-east by Jalisco; on the 
south-west by the mouth of the Gulf of California. The north 
and north-eastern portion is very mountainous, while it is 
more level on the coast, which is drained, as well as the 
mountain^ adjacent in the north-east, by the rivers before 
named. The interior contains mines of considerable extent, 
some of which are very rich, to which we will give some at- 
tention hereafter. The interior valleys are very fertile, espe- 
cially the valley of Piastla, on the Piastla River, and the 
valley of Rosario, about twenty miles south-east of Mazatlan. 
There are about 100 towns in the state, and out of the latter, 
Mazatlan, Culiacan, Cosala, Rosario, Fuerte, and Sinaloa, are 



105 

the most prominent. The first town reached of any import- 
ance is the town of El Fuerte. 

The situation of the town is charming, being on the south 
bank of the Fuerte River. This river is about a quarter 
of a mile wide, and passes along the foot of a plateau that 
is elevated about 90 feet above its bed. There is a fair 
view both up and down the river, from this plateau.* The 
town of Fuerte has about 1,000 inhabitants, and should be 
the principal inland town of the State. 

There is no commerce at Fuerte, from the fact that its 
advantageous natural position is no protection from the 
competition of Alamos on the north and Mazatlan on the 
south. The valley in which the town is located is one that 
might be one of the most fertile in the State and can be 
easily irrigated from the river, and will raise corn, wheat, 
sugar-cane, cotton, and the various cereals, but the inhab- 
itants prefer to use this magnificent valley for grazing pur- 
poses, and raise chiefly stock. The mules raised here have 
the reputation of being the best in the State. The road 
from Fuerte is of the same character to Mazatlan, passing 
through Mocorita and Sinaloa. 

The principal family at Fuerte are the descendants of A. 
Ybarra. 

Ward, in his celebrated work on " Mexico," says of 
Fuerte: 

" The situation is not particularly favorable, as, notwith- 
standing the vicinity of the river, the country about the 
town is unproductive, and the heat in summer intolerable. 

"The Tierra Caliente of Sinaloa extends from El Fuerte, 
or rather from Alamos, to the confines of Guadalajara 
(Jalisco). It is one vast, sandy plain, destitute of vegeta- 
tion, except in the rainy season, or in spots where the vi- 
cinity of the mountains or the confluence of two large 
streams insure a constant supply of water. 

"•This is the case at Culiacan, the most ancient and popu- 
lous town in Sinaloa, situated upon a river of the same name, 
80 leagues south of El Fuerte. It contains 11,000 inhab- 
itants, and the country about it is well watered and highly 
productive." 

Of Cosala, he says: "Cosala, 35 leagues south of Culi- 
acan, is the next town of any note on the road to Jalisco. It 
derives its importance entirely from its mines, one of which, 
called Nuestra Senora do Guadalupe, is very celebrated. Gua- 
dalupe is free from water, and situated at a considerable ele- 
vation above theplam. It contains a vein of gold of consid- 



106 

erable breadth, aud its produce might be increased to teu 
times its present amouDt, etc." 

From Cosala to the capital or City of Mexico, or the Cen- 
tral States of the Republic, there are two routes, the one by 
Rosario, the Caiias and Guadalajara, which is impassable 
during the rainy season, and the other due east from Cosala 
across the Sierra Madre to Durango, The distance from 
Alamos to Fuerte is 35 miles. This place was originally 
a military station, but the military are now removed to 
Mazatlan. 

The town of Sinaloa is located on the river of the same 
name, and has about 1,500 to 2,000 inhabitants. The prin- 
cipal business of this place is in the production of Indian 
cjrn, pork, and lard, which is exported. The principal busi- 
ness men are Francisco T. Penna aud K. Nunez, who are 
ia both the wholesale and retail trade, and II. Carubbio. 
The town of Sinaloa is located on a small river, and in the 
winter or dry season it dwindles to a very small stream. The 
seasons are reversed in the State. They have their dry 
season while we have our wet, and the reverse. The district 
around is fertile, and produces the usual agricultural pro- 
ductions, though the principal trade is as we have stated. 

The town has but one street. The ladies of this town are 
celebrated for their beauty in the wiit)le State, as those of 
Hermosillo are famous in Sonora. 

Roads of the State. 

A stage runs from Guaymas to Alamos over the old road, 
which runs east back of the bay, or north of the inlet form- 
ed by the mouth of the Yaqui River, crossing the small 
stream of San Josd, and the river Matape which flows into 
the gulf; thence to Toriu on the banks of the Yaqui River, 
a distauce of about 80 miles. The river is here crossed by 
a ferry in wet seasons, and forded in dry seasons, to Bocam, 
and thence north, following the course of the Yaqui, to Co- 
cori, about 20 miles; thence to El Baihoca and south to Co- 
raque, due east of Bocam, and distant in a straight line only 
about 15 miles. This short cut can be taken and save about 
35 miles of useless travel. From Coraque the road runs 
south-east to Camoa on the opposite side of the Mayo River, 
which is here crossed at a distance of about 35 miles from 
Coraqvie; thence to Alamos, about 12 miles. From Alamos 
to El Fuerte the distance is about 35 miles, where the 
Fuerte River is crossed; thence almost due south to 'Sinaloa, 



107 

about 60 miles; thence across the Sinaloa River and on to 
the Mocorito River and the small town of Mocorito; thence 
south-east through Palmas to La Morita; and thence taking a 
more southerly course to Cnliacan across the Culiacau River, 
distant from Sinaloa about 85 or 90 miles. Here two routes 
are presented to Mazatlan, one by way of Cosala, which takes 
a south-east course through the small towns and ranchos of 
Las Arayanes, LasFlechas, El Vichi,LusMilpas, Santa Anita, 
and Casa Blauca on the small stream of San Lorenzo; thence 
crossing the stream east to Las Vegas, Carriscal, Higuiera, 
and Cosala, a distance of about 60 miles; thence south, pass- 
ing Calafanta, Conitaca, Salado, crossing a small branch of 
the Elota River; thence to Laguna and Elota, about 40 miles 
from Cosala. The other route from Culiacan runs south to 
Aguarita and El Carriscal, El Salado, and San Lorenzo on the 
river of that name. The river is here crossed and a south- 
east course taken to Avaya, Vinapa, Higuerita, and thence 
east to Elota on the Elota River. The former route is the 
most traveled, though longer, as it passes through the rich 
mining region of Cosala. The latter route is over a stretch 
of about 80 miles, while the former is about 100 miles. 
From Elota the road is direct to Mazatlan, distant about 55 
miles south-east, crossing the Elota River, and Piastla River 
at Piastla; thence to Coyotitan, Quebrachi, Quelite, Coma- 
cho, Aval, Los Otates, and Mazatlan. From Mazatlan a road 
runs south-east to the Presidio of Mazatlan, and east to El 
Rosario on the Rosario River; thence south-east into the 
state of Jahsco to Guadalajara and on to the capital of Mex- 
ico. 

The road from Fuerte to Mazatlan and Rosario is a good 
one, to which we have referred already, and is used for wag- 
ons and a stage line constantly during the dry season, but it 
is impassable during the wet season on account of the lack 
of the bridges over rivers that are swollen to a dangerous 
depth and swiftness^ and the roads being of clay and sand 
become boggy. Another road, or rather mule trail, leads 
from Mazatlan through San Sebastian east and then north, 
passing many rauchoi on the Mazatlan River, to Morito and 
east, where the river Mazatlan is crossed twice on account of 
a bend in the river, and on up the Mazatlan Valley into Du- 
rango; passing Favor in Sinaloa and Saulito in Durango, 
and other towns up the canon to the mines of San Antonio 
de las Ventauas, and the celebrated mines of Guarisamay, 
and from thence on to Durango, about 150 miles distant from 
Mazatlan. 



108 

CHAPTER II. 
Mazatlan. 

The coast adjacent to Mazatlan, with its mountain peaks 
in the background, presents a grand and imposing scenery; 
and during the rainy season, when the valleys, hills and 
mountains are covered with verdure, it is one of the most 
beautiful spots on the coast. The small sugar-loaf mountains 
rise frequently, near and in the distance, presenting a variety 
of scenery to the eye that is very pleasing, and to lovers of 
scenery, it is delightful. 

The port of Mazatlan is not capacious, nor surrounded by 
those safe landmarks characteristic of many of the ports on 
the Pacific Coast. For fear of the southerly or south-west 
winds^ no vessels can be anchored long in the harbor, as the 
land is low adjacent, and on the south-west mostly open to 
the ocean. For this reason, vessels only stop long enough 
to unload, and proceed on their way. The inner harbor is 
far from admitting heavy merchant-vessels like the clipper 
ships arriving in the port of San Francisco. The approach 
is safe, however, for ocean steamers to approach and retreat 
when touching at this port. Larger ships anchor under the 
lee of the island of Creston, which is rather small, but much 
elevated. In this harbor there are two other islands, called 
Venado and Pajoros. The dangers to vessels during the 
stormy season detract much from the commercial position 
and advantages of Mazatlan; and, for that reason, Guaymas, 
in Sonora, will be the principal port for the vessels passing 
up the Gulf of California. 

The city of Mazatlan is nearly surrounded by water, a 
mere tongue connecting it to the mainland. Near the 
water's edge, and back half a mile, the surface of the site is 
even, and also to the limits of the city, from the fort on the 
west, for more than a mile eastward; yet, farther back, it is 
uneven and ungraded. The fort commanding the inner har- 
bor to the city is located on the side of an elevated plateau, 
near 1,500 feet above the sea. On its summit, one may en- 
joy the beautiful scenery spread out before him — a pano- 
rama of mountains, low undulating hills, and valleys. In 
this fort are planted some antiquated cannon, commanding 
the city and harbor. The streets are not laid out regularly. 
One main street runs from the water front out into the 
country beyond, on which are located both retail and whole- 
sale business houses. Some are also situated on the streets of 



109 

the water front. The whole uumber of shops and stores 
reach as many as 500. The builclina^s are mostly constructed 
of soft brick, one foot square, and, in some instances, there 
are stone buildings. Adobe houses are mostly occupied by 
the poorer classes in the suburbs. Most of the buildings 
are one-story; yet, in some few instances, the houses built 
by foreigners are two stories high. The houses are con- 
structed roughly, and plastered inside and out, and after- 
wards penciled. The roofs and floors are made of brick. 
For the floor, the gromid is raised, and surface leveled, and 
bricks laid in cement, which makes the floors both durable 
and cool in the summer. When the floors are carpeted, 
wool or common cotton is laid down first, then the carpet. 
Among the poorer classes, no carpet is used, but a native 
mat. Heavy joists and close together are laid across the 
walls of the building for the roof, and on these a tight floor 
of boards is laid, and on this the bricks are laid, one foot in 
thickness, cemented complete!}^ water-tight. The walls are 
commonly three feet thick, making each house a complete 
fortress, and, withal, very cool in the summer season. 

The style of architecture is a mixture of the Moorish and 
Gothic. The doors are clumsy and large, generally fast- 
ened inside by wooden bars. The windows have mostly 
iron gratings of three quaiters of an inch in diameter, and 
sometimes shutters, mjking the city look like a city of pris- 
ons. The inside walls are frequently papered, and the 
houses well and even elegantly furnishe J. 

Most of the goods sold hero are imported directly from 
Europe, and German houses seem rather to take the lead in 
commercial pursuits throughout the country. There are 
about 100 foreigners in the city, mostly engaged in com- 
mercial pursuits, and they are said to own most of the real 
estate in the city. 

Gold, silver, and copper, and dye-woods are shipped from 
this point in large quantities. Many ship-loads are packed in 
from the interior on the backs of mules. "Burros," or 
she-asses, are used, to some extent, to pack mortar, bricks, 
lumber, etc.; but freight wagons and carts are also used, 
drawn by mules. 

The streets are mostly paved with round cobble-stones, 
and in a concave form, so that the water drains ofi:" in the 
center. These stones are laid in cement, and become quite 
firm, so that they are not easily misplaced, except during 
the rainy season. The sidewalks are narrow, some made of 
hewn timbers, and laid so that two persons can walk side by- 



110 

side. Others are constructed of soft burnt bricks and flag- 
stone. On any of them, but two persons can walk side by 
side. 

The government buildings, such as the custom houses, 
forts, and arsenals, are well constructed, airy, and remarka- 
bly adapted to the torrid zone. These, as well as private 
buildings, have a species of rain spouts, which, in the rainy 
season, scarcely extend the dripping waters from the side- 
walks. There is one church in Mazatlan. The composite 
architecture of beautiful constructions of arches and pillars 
give some of the buildings quite an imposing appearance. 
There are two principal hotels, kept by Frenchmen, who 
charge about $2.00 per day. Inside the court-yards, flower- 
ing shrubs, rare bushes, the hyacinth, and the trailing vine 
are frequently seen. The delicate and refined taste of the 
ladies of Mazatlan is well known in the republic, and their 
beauty rivals the maids of Hermosillo. A public plaza is 
tastefully laid out, with seats on the sides of the square, 
made of brick, having brick sides, and painted red, with 
brick walks through the center, coinciding with either point 
of the compass, and with a circular brick walk inside the 
seats around the whole circuit of the plaza; and to enhance 
the beauty of this, every 15 feet orange trees are set on the 
inside edge of this circular walk, which truly adds beauty 
to the whole scene. A beautiful fountain of crystal water 
plays day and night. 

The marketing is done principally on Sunday morning on 
the market square, where purchases are made from the 
country people for the week. Indian corn, beans, Irish po- 
tatoes, sweet potatoes, eggs, red peppers, bananas, plantains, 
oranges, limes, several species of custard apples, squashes, 
pumpkins, watermelons, muskmelons, chickens, turkeys, 
and a variety of gallinaceous birds, such as the "hoco" or 
"curassow" and pheasants; also, crockery ware, chairs, and 
other articles are not unfrequently exhibited for sale. After 
the sales are ended, to the inhabitants of the city, the bal- 
ance are bought by local hucksters at a reduced price. A 
theater is in the city, where the beauty and elite gather to 
listen to Spanish plays of love and tragedy. 

Mazatlan is now a commanding commercial city of rapid- 
ly growing importance to Lower California, southern So- 
nora. Chihuahua, Durangd, and northern Jalisco, and the 
state of Sinaloa. 

Vast regions of agricultural, grazing and mineral lands 
are adjacent, untouched, that await development by foreign 



Ill 

capital and industry. Most of the trade of all this region 
passes through Mazatlan. 

This city has but few equals for its surrounding advantages, 
and invites to her municipal confines an intelligent class of 
immigrants, who will develop her latent energies and re- 
sources. 

Sailing-vessels go leisurely up the gulf, carrying the pro- 
ductions of the south, though the greater part of the carry- 
ing is now done by steamers. The principal freight is su- 
gar, cofiee, rice and tobacco, with foreign and domestic mer- 
chandise. These are exchanged for flour, fruits, gold and 
silver, copper, pearls, salt, hides, and tallow. Pome consid- 
erable sugar, cotton, rice, corn, beans, etc., and tropical 
fruits are produced in the rear of Mazatlan, in the Mazatlan 
Valley, which is 45 miles wide in its widest part, neai'lyone 
hundred miles in length, and well watered by the Mazatlan 
Biver. 

Land can be cultivated three miles on each side of the 
river, on the river bottom lands. There are about 17,000 
inhabitants in the town. The river, which empties into the 
sea, is 100 yards wide in rainy seasons, and is navigable for 
large barges, for five months, some distance up the river. 
The stage crosses in barges. The country east of Mazatlan 
is mostly level to the base of the mountains, diversified by 
rolling ground. There is one large cotton factory in the city, 
which manufactures the cotton raised in the vicinity, into 
goods that are purchased by the inhabitants of the region 
surrounding. This is a great cotton country, and timber is 
plentiful. 

Coal has been found seventy-five miles from the city with 
a vein cropping out three feet in width, something like an- 
thracite. An interior valley, of 30 to 40 miles in width, at 
the widest point, lies beyond the Sierra Madre, east of the 
city, 40 miles from the river Mazatlan. Kich mines have 
been found near Cosala. Grazing is carried on extensively. 
The city commands the trade and supplies the wants of the 
country people and the inland towns within two-thirds of a 
circle from 200 to 1,000 miles in the interior. 

Rich merchants come in from the country with pack- 
trains, .who have extensive haciendas, gold cr silver mines, 
or who are exclusively engaged in commercial pursuits. 
Tbe roads, or rather trails, through the mountain districts are 
not very good ; and the rivers, in the rainy season, being mostly 
without bridges, present serious obstacles during that season 
for travel in the interior. The rainy season commonly in- 



112 f 

eludes the months of June, July, August, September, and a 
part of October; and during most of this time it rains a little 
nearly every day. Most of the flour used in Mazatlan, Tepic, 
and Colima, and the ports of San Bias and Manzanillo, is ex- 
ported from Guaymas, in Sonora. The flour is nearly as white, 
possessing the same qualities, as CaUfornia flour. From 
Mazatlan to the mouth of the Kio Grande, in Texas, near 
that point it is nearly six hundred miles; and a railroad from 
this city to the mouth of that river is practicable, and can 
be made by passing over a distance of 1,000 miles. To 
Loredo, in Tamaalipas, on the Rio Grande, it is not much 
more; the latter point being the point oFcoimection with an 
eastern road running from the City of Mexico, almost due 
north. A better route, however, might pass Guadalf^ara, 
and connect with that road south of Loredo. The City of 
Mazatlan will be unquestionably a powerful rival of San 
Francisco. On the low land there is not much cultivation 
on a level with the sea. 

The hacienda or rancho Taraaulipas of Piastla, on the road 
to Culiacan, contains about 30,000 acres, and is situated on 
the Piastla River, about seven miles from the coast, the whole 
of which can be cultivated, and is easily irrigated from the 
river. The stream, during the wet season, is navigable as far 
as the rancho. This rancho is owned by the Laveagas, bat 
is not for sale. There are small ranchos, however, in the 
vicinity for sale. There are also very fertile lands near the 
liio de Rosario, twenty miles south-east from Mazatlan. 
On this river, and throughout the country, land is cheap. 
Haciendas of one, two,- and three leagues in extent, can be 
.purchased for one, two, three and four thousand dollars. 

Corn sells from 50 cents to <f 1 per bushel; beans, $9 per 
carga; oranges and limes $10 per thousand ; sweet potatoes, 
6 to 10 cents per lb. ; beef, pork, and mutton, from 6 to 10 
cents per lb. Poultry and eggs are high. Butter is sent 
here from Guaymas, but it is of a whitish color, and almost 
tasteless. The cheese is no better. Lower California fur- 
nishes large quantities of this cheese for the market of Ma- 
zatlan. An industrious American might settle in the vicinity 
of Mazatlan, and following most any pursuit, such as garden- 
ing, keeping a dairy, or even agriculture, he could accumu- 
late a snug fortune, and in a short time retire from business, 
living in comparative ease and affluence. 

The principal business houses are: Rogers & Marshall, 
Juan Cristobal Farber, Edward Coftey, Bud wig & Rasch, 
Isaac V. Coppall, Charpentier, Reynard & Co., Pefia & Co., 



113 

Bartning Hermanos y Cia, CanDobio Hermanos, Diaz de 
Leon Hermanos, J. Kelly y Cia, Bcheguren y Hijos y Sobri- 
nos, James Hermanos, Federico Koerdell y Cia, J. De la 
Quintana, Jesus Escobar, Joaquin Eedo, Haas y Aguiar, 
Tepia y Ceballos, Gonzales Hermanos, Vicente Ferreira y 
Cia, Charpentier, Reynaud y Cia, Dubagan y Cia, Melcbers 
Successores, Felton Hermanos, and Juan Somelleriay Cia. 

The implements used in husbandry are of the most 
primitive character in some portions of the state. The 
plow consists of two poles, one six feet long, and the other 
fifteen feet, fastened together by the means of a mortice and 
tenon, at an angle of sixty-five degrees. Through, and 
near the end of the short pole, there is a pin to steady the 
plow; and on its end there is attached a pointed iron or steel 
shoe to prevent it from readily wearing out. The yoke has 
no bows, but is fastened on the heads of the cattle by means 
of raw-hide thongs, and so is the tongue of the plow to the 
yoke. With this rude instrument the ground is merely 
scratched over about three inches in depth, and yet the soil 
yields marvelously. The scythe, the cradle or the sickle, 
even, are unknown in some places, with the hoe, or any 
other common implement of husbandry. Reapers and 
threshing machines are not even dreamed of in some iso- 
lated instances ; but they have been introduced in many of 
the states of the republic. Here is a rare chance for our 
agricultural implement manufacturers almost at their doors. 

About one-twelfth of the population of Mazatlan is white,, 
and can trace their origin back to their Spanish ancestors.. 
Many blondes are seen who are direct descendants of the old. 
Castilians. In this city there are several wealthy merchants,, 
of difi:erent nations, who import goods largely from Europe,, 
many of which we have mentioned already. There are also. 
Mexican capitalists who have extensive ranchos and hacien-. 
das in the country, even one hundred miles back in the in-, 
terior, and pass a part of their time in town. English andi 
German ,goods seem to be most used, and generally in de-- 
mand; also French brandies and wines; but few articles man- 
ufactured in the United States are shipped into any of the- 
Mexican ports on the Pacific, although an extensive trade- 
with New York, Philadelphia, and Boston is springing up. 
by vessels and is landed at the ports on the eastern coast or 
Gulf of Mexico. On the completion of the Texas and Pacific 



114 

and other railroads connecting with the east, a large trade 
will be established with the large eastern cities of the United 
States. 

The principal business houses are engaged in both a whole- 
sale and retail trade, dividing their stores into two depart- 
ments. The principal buildings are the custom-house, a new 
church, municipalidad or city hall, containing court-rooms, 
etc. ; Cuartel de Artilleria or barracks for the military, a 
cotton factory, gas works, and the hotels "Iturbide" and 
*'Nacional." 

Some trade has been carried on with San Francisco; in 
fact, much more than is suspected by many of our merchants. 
Two iron foundries are located here that have considerable 
trade. 

Rosario. 

The town has 6,000 inhabitants and takes its name from 
the Rosario mines in the vicinity. These mines are some of 
the oldest in the republic, and have produced an immense 
treasure for the owners. The shafts are now full of water. 
The Tajo mine by its richness is a great source of wealth to 
the town. This town is a place of considerable importance, 
and at one time was the depot of merchandise of Mazatlan. 
The merchants resorted to it to purchase their stock of goods 
.and dispose of produce. It was the residence of the Com- 
missary General of the state, and others high in official au- 
thority. The streets are narrow but well paved, and the 
houses built principally of stone. The town is located in a 
ravine, and much confined. The Rosario River, a small 
stream, runs below the town and empties into the Pacific a 
few miles further below. This stream is navigable for 
<;anoes from Rosario, by Avliich people frequently go to Ma- 
zatlan, the distance by water being shorter. This town has 
considerable trade W'ith Durango and some from Guadalajara. 
The distance to Mazatlan is 20 leagues or 60 miles, the Pre- 
sidio of Mazatlan being a kind of half-way house or posta. 
The i)lace is simply a large square surrounded by merchants' 
houses. The distance to Mazatlan Presidio is about 30 
miles. In the northern part of the state the road from Ala- 
mos in Sonora runs over a level plain when it leaves the roll- 
ing hills, and requires no repairing, as the soil is made of 
sandy clay, almost without a pebble, and is perfectly even 
and smooth. The surface is level and excellent for coaches. 
.The distance from Alamos to Kuerte is about 35 miles. 



115 

Culiacan. 

The capital of the state of Sinaloa, Culiacan, is situated 
on a river of the same name, in the midst of a beautiful 
and rich agricultural country. The population of the city 
is about 10,000; its streets, with a great plaza, are laid out 
regularly, and it possesses much inland trade. The archi- 
tecture and buildings are much the same as at Mazatlan. 

The state government is located here, and during the ses- 
sion of the legislature, it presents a more lively appearance. 
The distance from Mazatlan is about 155 miles, and the 
intervening distance between, over the route bj' Cosala, is 
rough and mountainous, with but few ranchos on the line of 
travel. Cotton, sugar-cane, corn, beans, and rice, and vege- 
tables of various kinds, and fruits common to this climate 
and a low latitude, are grown in great abundance in the 
vicinity. There are also some mines in the neighborhood, 
Cofi'ee is also raised in the state, and brings from 30 to 40 
cents per pound. The importation of coffee has at times 
been forbidden, in order to develop this industry in the 
state. 

There is a cotton factory in Culiacan, owned by Redo, 
who resides in the same town, and is one of the principal 
capitalists. A stage road runs from Alamos, in Sonora, to 
Mazatlan — a five days' trip — also to Culiacan, as before 
stated. 

There is also a mint in Culiacan. The principal business 
houses are. Redo, Valadez, O. Salmon, Robert R. Symon 
& Co., and Angel Urrea. Considerable business is trans- 
acted here. The road, after leaving Alamos, which is 
mountainous, or a rolhng region, becomes almost level as it 
goes south to Fuerte, and passes down the interior about 60 
miles from the coast, through the same level couutry,to Mazat- 
lan. It also passes down a valley in the interior, beyond the 
mountains east of the former road, to Culiacan, over a very 
level road. 

The Presidio of Mazatlan is located on the road to Ro- 
sario, and was formerly the principal place of residence for 
the merchants and custom house ojQSicers, who removed to 
Mazatlan, and left it almost deserted, with the exception 
of a large cotton factory which is there, owned by Eche- 
guren & Co., of Mazatlan; and besides the operatives, the 
town has but few inhabitants. 

The ladies of Culiacan are truly celebrated for their fair 
complexion, graceful forms, and modest demeanor. They 



116 

are very fond of music and dancing, and play very skillfully 
on the harp, and are, withal, as intelligent and captivating 
as any of the famous beauties of the republic. On the road 
to Culiacan fr jm Fuerte are situated Siualoa, and Mocorito, 
and La Muerito. 

Cosala. 

The town of Cosala is situated about 60 miles from Culi- 
acan, to the south-east, and nearly 100 miles from Mazatlan. 
The town extends over nearly as much ground as the latter; 
but it is more interspersed with flower-gardens and small 
orchards. The town is well built; but the streets are some- 
what irregular. The number of inhabitants reaches 5,000. 
Cosala is a mining district. Within about 20 miles of the 
town, is located the Guadalupe mine, which is perfectly dry, 
and at a good elevation from the plain. 

The mines of Copala, Panucho, San Dimas, and San Igna- 
cio are the principal ones located in the vicinity. The 
Saragossa mine is situated north-east from Mazatlan and 
north of Cosala. This mine is celebrated for its beautiful 
specimens of virgin silver. 

In this town, a peculiar disease that is attributed to the 
water used exists, and is called " buche," and is known 
with us as goitre, or swelled neck. One traveler describes 
its unfortunate inhabitants as looking like pelicans. 

From Cosala to foot of mountains, the distance is 15 
miles due east. Santa Ana, a small raucho, and some 
others, are located on the road. There are some six mines 
near, bearing silver and magistral, and about one and a half 
miles from the town, the celebrated Golconda gold mine. 

The })rincipal business of the state is mining, grazing, and 
the raising of herds of cattle, horses, mules, sheep, etc., al- 
though the agricultural productions are considerable. The 
mines of the state produce a large revenue. The Xocihuis- 
tita mine, situated nearKosario, was bonded for three months 
at 160,000, and the parties who had bonded it refused to 
renew the bond. In a short time afterward the owners sold 
a one-half interest for $500,000 to American capitalists oi 
San Francisco, who are now taking out from $50,000 to 
$60,000 per month. Some ladies at Mazatlan v/ere the 
ow ers. Estacata is another old mine near Cosala that was 
once extremely rich. Tradition says that its owners were 
60 rich and realized such fortunes from its possession that 
they used to lay down silver bricks for their ladies to tread 



117 

upon ou their way to church, and then take them up again by 
their servants — a piece of extravagant gallantry somewhat un- 
heard of, even among the descendants of the Moctezumas. 
Some of the mines of Mexico are worked in what we would 
term an extravagant manner. The shafts in some instances 
are walled with timbers that are placed there for their im- 
perishable qualities, and often the wood selected is of the 
most valuable character, and being the nearest at hand is used 
with a prodigal hand. One old mine, we are told by a gen- 
tleman who explored it, to which he gave the name of the old 
San Jos^ mine, was literally lined with ebony. He showed 
us a piece of this wood which he extracted from the mine, 
and had made into a rough cane. 'J'he timbers were as 
sound almost as when they were placed in the mine, and 
were laid one upon the other along the walls of the shaft, and 
some 15 to 20 feet in leno-th. The oriorin of the mine was 
unknown, and the mouth of the shaft had fallen in, covering 
it up entirely until another drift from a mine near it in search 
of a vein of ore was run until they came to the ebony walls 
of the shaft of the old mine. It was cleaned out — rubbish, 
€tc., removed — and found to be very rich. The ebony alone 
would be worth a small fortune in this country. The haci- 
enda of La Labor, owned by the Laveagas, is situated about 
four miles from San Ignacio and contains 40,000 acres, about 
one-third of which can be cultivated. Sugar-cane, wheat, 
corn, and other productions have been raised upon its arable 
lands. It is located on the San Ignacio River, and the soil 
is very fertile. 

Mining Districts and Mines of Sinaloa. 

Rosario District. — The most important mine of this dis- 
trict is the celebrated Tajo mine, which is the second best 
producing mine in the state, and is located in a rolling 
country on the bank of the Rosario River. The depth 
reached two years ago was 1,200 feet, when lir. Geo. S. 
Montgomery, of this city, visited it, and we herewith give 
his representation of the mines of this district, and some 
others. 

This mine produces fair milling ore, with 60 per cent, 
gold; the balance, silver. The vein is six feet wide, until 
a bonanza is reached, that widens out the vein to about 100 
feet. They were then taking out ore in a bonanza that 
assayed, on an average, {^120 per ton, and ran sometimes in 
first-class ore up to |1,000. This mine is owned by Mr. 



118 

Bradbury, of Oakland, aud Mr. Kelly and other merchants 
of Mazatlan. This is one of the best equipped mines in the 
state. One stamp-mill of 30 stamps was working the ore, 
and since, a 20-stamp mill has been added. The 30-stamp 
mill was then working 40 tons per day, which, with the 20- 
stamp mill now, is working about 60 to 70 tons per day. 
This mine is supporting about 6,000 population. There are 
other mines in this distiictof minor importance. The dis- 
tance to Mazatlan is about 80 miles, in a north-westerly di- 
rection. 

riomosas District. — The principal mine is the Plomo- 
sa, located in this district near the border of Durango, and 
is owned by a Mazatlan Company, with the controlling in- 
terest in the hands of merchants of that city. The mine is 
valued at $1,200,000, and is divided into 24 shares, the 
usual number in Mexican mines. Mr. La Madrid was the 
former owner. The depth of the mine is over 800 feet; 
width of vein, 20 to 25 feet, well defined and apparently 
permanent. This mine has paid from the start, although 
the ore is somewhat rebellious, which could not be worked 
as easily as within the last year. The ores carried galena 
and zinc. The average assay was about $80 to $90 per ton, 
and is worked by a 20-stamp mill at the mine. Tliis district 
is about 120 miles south-east from Mazatlan. 

The Abondancia mine, in Plomosas, is situated in the gap 
which descends from the rancheria of Ploraositas in a pre- 
cipituous decline towards the northeast. The mountain on 
which the works are established, as well as the neighboring 
one of the Potrero Las Escaleras and El Arco, are of strati- 
fied rock, affected by metamorphism, and repose on the dyo- 
ritic formation in this locality.' The aspect of all this zone, 
from the decline of the ground, from the elevated central 
table, is of a very favorable geological character for ores. 

The Abundancia metaliferous lode detaches itself In part 
from the mountain that incloses it in a compact and elevated 
cliff, which has been prospected in great part by the ancients. 
The broad-vein prospect shows a horizontal breadth of at 
least ten metres. It is to be noted that where the matrix is 
found to be more quartzified are seen the best or more 
abundant ores, and as soon as the limestone aspect appears 
in small veins it seems that galena follows it, but without 
the concise relation taking place. I cannot consider the 
Abundancia lode as being a vein, properly so called, nor as 
an altogether irregular lode, for there appears a transitioQ 
between both in its character. 



119 

The situation of the cliff above the adit is recognizable by 
the old shafts which communicate with the interior. It can 
be perceived from the pillars and some of the intervals that 
the ancients worked through means of a regular alloy, and 
the extent of these workings indicate the considerable quan- 
tities of ores that they extracted. Up to December 2l8t, 
1881, the mine had yielded 27,354 cargas of different ores, 
containing, as per mining assay, 332,474 ounces of silver, 
averaging about 12.15-100 ouuces per extracted carga. Of 
these, 554, averaging 65 ounces alloy, which has been ex- 
ported, corresponding to two per cent, of the total in weight, 
and 10.08-100 in value. — Extract from Report of Pedro L. 
Mouray on the Plomosas La Abwidaneia Mines. 

The Jocuistita Mine. 

{From a Report by Win. Ashburner, M. E., May ^4, 1880.) 
"Themining property known as the 'Negociacion Mineria 
de Jocuistita' is situated in the San Ignacio minino- dis- 
trict, State of Sinaloa, Mexico, about 100 miles northerly 
frorn the port of Mazatlan. The property includes a group 
of nine silver-bearing lodes, lying within a short distance of 
one another, and on all of which work has been done suf- 
ficient to prove their mineral character. Of these, the prin- 
cipal one, so far as demonstrated, is known as "El Carmen." 
A narrow ravine extends northerly from the town of Jocuis- 
tita, down which runs a perennial spring of water, sufficient 
for about ten stamps in the dryest time, while durino- the 
rainy season the supply is indefinitely increased. The^mill, 
or hacienda, is situated at the mouth of this ravine, while 
higher up, on the west side and less than half a mile distant, 
is the Carmen veiu. This is the only vein now worked upon 
the property, and in it has recently been developed a body 
of ore which exceeds in richness and extent anything pre- 
viously discovered. This vein has an,east and west direction, 
runn: ng towards a steep outlying flank of the main mountain 
range, which rises abruptly to a height of several hundred 
feet, r )rming a sharp crest or divide. There apears little 
doubt that the lode will- be also found extending to the east, 
upon the opposite side of the ravine, as from what was told 
me, a small shaft about ^ feet deep was sunk 400 feet from 
the mouth of the Carmen mine, from which about one ton 
of ore was extracted, and worked with a milling result of 
266 ounces of silver per ton. Subsequently, this shaft was 
filled, and a tunnel was commenced for the purpose of cross- 



120 

cutting in depth several of the less known veins, so I was 
unable to verifj' the statement by sampling the shaft. The 
country rock is greenstone porphyry, lying in close proximity 
to a reddish trachyte. The vein dips toward the north at an 
angle of 83 degrees, and in places, particularly where the ore 
bodies are found, there is a well-defined clay wall; its width 
varies from a few feet to 17 and 18 feet. The ore is some- 
what complex, containing frequently, besides sulphuret of 
silver and native silver, zinc, copper, iron and lead, in form 
of sulphurets, associated with a quartz gangue. Notwith- 
standing the presence ot these base metals, the results 
obtained by amalgamation appear to be very satisfactory. 
As the ore comes from the mine it is first assorted by hand, 
richer portion being selected for shipment to Europe, while 
what is called the ordinary ore is sent to the mill. At the 
time of my visit, this shipping ore was estimated as being 
worth, by assay, about 750 ounces per ton, while the mill, 
running only fair samples, was producing nearly or quite 
$1800 per day. The proportion which the shipping ore 
bears to the milling ore bears to the milling ore is very va- 
riable, and depends upon the extent to which the former is 
se2:reo;ated from the latter in the vein itself. The mine is 

1 i • • 

worked by a vertical shaft, eight by ten feet, and which is 
now 133 feet deep. The ore is hoisted to the surface by 
means of a whim. From this shaft drifts 10 metres or 33 
feet apart have been extended westerly on the course of the 
vein; leaving behind, however, in the form ot pillars, most 
of the ore, which is of much lower grade than that recently 
developed in the west end of the mine, and under the 
mountain which rises above it." 

A one-half interest in this mine was purchased for $500,000 
by San Francisco capitalists. The ore of this mine has as- 
sayed about 50-per cent, silver. The vein, at a depth of 
about 250 feet, is 40 feet wide, and contains a small percent- 
age of gold and galena. The mine has been worked for some 
years by Mexicans. The superintendent of the Guadalupe de 
Los Eeyes negotiated the sale of this mine, being the prin- 
cipal owner. They have worked the mine by a 10-stamp 
mill, but are now erecting a 20-stamp mill, and are by the 
old stamp mill producing from $50,000 to $60,000 per month. 
The ore is rebelHous, and is consequently more expensive to 
work than the ores of many other mines in the State, but 
the large percentage of silver makes it a very profitable mine. 
The distance from this mine toMazatlanis about 80 miles. 



121 

"The mineral districts of San Ignacio and Cosala, in the 
State of Sinaloa, have in times past given millions of dollars 
yearly in silver and gold. The mines of Cosala, more partic- 
ularly, have and still are, yielding large quantities of the 
precious metal. The ores are very rich and the veins very 
wide. These as a general rule will yield $500 per ton. The 
Guadalupe de los Reyes is,surprisiugly rich in gold and silver. 
For years this mine has been the source of many quarrels 
and numberless bloodj' fights between two families who 
claimed its ownersliip. The miue has been held in posses- 
sion by the Vega family, whose wealth and political })ower 
enabled theni to control not only this very rich mine, but the 
whole Staie of Sinaloa. The liberal party at length caused 
the political downfall of this family; they did not yield pos- 
session of this mine, however, to its rightful owners. An 
English company once offered Vega for this mine one mil- 
lion dollars, which he refused, saying that he did not want 
any money at that time, and if he did he had only to work 
his mine, and that would yield him any number of millions 
— which was true." — Ghipman's Mineral JResources of North- 
ern 3Iexico. 

" The district of Panuco is situated in the southern por- 
tion of Sinaloa. In this locality there are several mines; 
these, before the independence of Mexico, belonged to the 
Marquis of Panuco. The Marquis obtained from them 
many millions of dollars in silver. The ores of the richest 
class are argentiferous, and yield from $500 to $600 per ton. 
The ores that are treated by amalgamation (which forms 
the greater portion of the ores found) by the Mexican mode 
of treating them yield |200 per ton. After the death of the 
Marquis, the mines fell into the hands of a merchant of Maz- 
atlan, by the name of Machado. He worked the mines very 
successfully for many years, until his death some 15 years 
ago, since which time his family have alternately worked 
them, squandered the products and ran them in debt, and 
finally abandoned them. 

"A few miles northwest from Panuco, in the State of 
Sinaloa, and distant from the Pacific Coast some 30 miles, 
lies the famous mine of Tajo, situate in a town called Rosario. 
This mine owes its discovery to a herdsman of cattle. One 
day while chasing some wild cattle through the woods, a 
twig of a tree caught the rosary he had suspended to his 
neck and jerked it from him. ISTot wishing to lose it nor 
the animal he was in pursuit of, he threw off his hat to des- 



122 

ignate the spot. Upon his return night overtook him before 
he could find his animal; thereupon he concluded to spend 
the night. He built a fire and waited until morning to look 
for his rosary by daylight. In lighting his cigarette by the 
coals of his fire he noticed something which glistened in the 
ashes. Upon examination of this substance by his employer 
or master it proved to be pure silver. Excavations were 
made and a splendidly-formed vein was found, rich in silver 
and gold. The mine was worked and regularly opened, and 
for sixty years yielded immense treasures to the owners. 
i^Upon the expulsion of the Spaniards from the country, the 
mine was left unworked for many years. The church of 
Santo Domingo stands immediately over some of the prin- 
priucipal workings of the mine, and is now 110 years old. 
The ores of this mine yield an average of ^120 per ton. 
The mine is now worked by an American company, whose 
headquarters are in San Francisco. 

A few miles east from Rosario, in the State of Sinaloa, is 
located a mine called Plomosa. This mine was opened and 
worked many years ago to a depth of 250 feet by the Mexi- 
cans, producing while it was worked large amounts of silver. 
The ores gave $250 per ton. A large influx of water sud- 
denly pat a stop to operations, since which time nothing has 
been done to place the mine in working condition. It is a 
well-attested fact that the mine was yielding largelj' at the 
time of its abandonment. Nearly two years ago the mine 
was denounced, and possession given to some Americans, 
who now own it. 

Northwest from Plomosa but a few miles, and in the 
same State, we find the Mineral of Copala. There are a 
great number of silver-bearing veins found in this locality, 
upon which many mines of good reputation are now being 
worked. Several American companies have erected reduc- 
tion works here, and but for the advent of the French inter- 
vention would have been successfully prosecuting their oper- 
ations. The ores aj-e abundant, and give about $175 per 
ton. 

Distant from the coast of the Pacific 150 miles we find 
the District of Ventanas. At this place some six or seven 
American companies are working, riome with success, and 
all with good prospects, according to their respective means 
and skillful or unskillful management. The lodes are very 
numerous, and all the mines that have been worked gave 
good results. The average yield of the ores may be safely 
calculated to be $100 per ton. ^ 



123 

The placer of the " Canoda de Banazagua" is situated 
about 16 leagues southeast of Alamos, in Sonora, on the 
north side of a tributary to the.Fuerte Eiver. The placer 
extends for about 12 miles in the canon, and has been worked 
to a considerable extent in the time of the Spaniards. The 
hillsides for all this distance have been perforated in many 
places, and shafts sunk and drifts run. Some of the works 
are recent, but the miners not being acquainted with the 
modes of getting out the water by pumps and flumes, have 
done all their work by washing in wooden bowls, and 
abandoning the shaft -on encountering water. At the head 
of the canon drifting has been done to a considerable extent. 
The soil is composed of a red clay and decomposed quartz; 
the ore ia worked by arastras. The mountain region of the 
Fuerte is so exceedingly rough and precipitous that no wagon 
road has ever been (or ever will be) made through it. All 
carriage is performed on mules, and a man is better off on 
foot than with an animal under him. 

Mines of the Fuerte. 

From Baneyagua east to Las Garobas is three leagues. 
This is a small place, but gold and silver mining is done 
here to some extent. Four leagues still further east is the 
Real del Rosario, another mining place, owned by Sr. Don 
Bruno Esquessa. The mine is situated on the side of a 
mountain, on the north side of the hacienda, and the dig- 
gings are surface diggings or excavations. The annual rev- 
enue of this mine, in net profits, is $70,000. There are some 
gold placers in the vicinity of Chinipas, about 30 leagues 
north, and the inhabitants are engaged in washing gold." 

Palmarejo is a silver mine, distant about six leagues from 
Chinipas. It is worked by Don Miguel Urea of Alamos. 
This mine is worked on a more extensive scale than any in 
this section of the country. There are 20,000 ounces of sil- 
ver taken out of it monthly. The ore is taken out by im- 
provised forcing machinery. A four-stamp mill is run by 
vyater-power to reduce the ore. Abundance of water and 
timber is adjacent; the roughness of the country compels 
the owner to carry the ore on mules' backs for nine miles to 
the mill site. 

Chois is situated in the valley of the stream of the same 
name, which empties into the Fuerte River. Its situation is 
very beautiful, being on a fine plain, with a very pretty view. 
This town is the natural outlet for all the mines of that coun- 



124 

try ill the northern part of Sinaloa. and is one of the richest 
mineral districts of Mexico. Its situation at the base of the 
mountains, its easy access by good roads from the farms and 
rauchos of the lower valley, and its facility for communica- 
tion with the Gulf, must make it an important place for trade 
as well as industry. The whole surrounding country is rich 
in gold placers, and even the spot on which Chois stands 
furnishes gold by washing the soil. All the streams in the 
neighborhood show the color on washing the loose soil of the 
banks. The town is about four miles from the junction of 
the stream with the Fuerte Eiver. 

Las Iglesias is located four leagues up the Chois, where 
the stream makes a bead, inclosing a mesa, or table land, of 
some 25 acres, which is perforated with shafts from 15 to 20 
feet in depth, where gold has been sought after. There is 
plenty of it, and the dirt all pays alike, but the gold is so fine 
that the natives cannot save it. Above Las Iglesias, one league 
on the south side of the river, the Arroyo Sabina, or Cypress 
creek, is encountered, which runs a course due north; follow- 
ing it for four leagues, a branch of the same stream, called 
Los Pillos, is reached, where the valley bed forms a natural 
reservoir of waters. This stream heads, in an easterly direc- 
tion, toward a high mountain, ranging north and south, A 
rich placer is also located here, which has been slightly 
worked by Lidians. Placers have been found also on the 
Bayemene creek and at Yucorati. At this latter place are 
old Spanish diggings, the ruins of their works showing that 
here has once been a large population of gold-seekers. The 
country adjacent is perforated with shafts and drifts. The 
quicksands in the bed of the creek have hitherto prevented 
miners from reaching the ledge where the gold may be 
found. 

The Mount Serat mine is located in the vicinity of Re- 
alito, one league distant. This is a famous silver mine, and 
is owned and worked by Sr. Don Juan Migloria. Its eleva- 
tion on a high mountain makes it a very prominent object. 
Mount Serat has been extensively worked, and all around it, 
in the mountains, shafts have been sunk and drifts run. It 
is still worked on a small scale. Some of the most prom- 
inent mines are Todos Santos, All Saints Mine, San Jose and 
Santa Catarina. 

The gold placers of Baconbirito are located at the junction 
of the tributaries of the Sinaloa River. The soil is appar- 
ently full of gold, and extends over a horseshoe bend of the 
river for some miles. The gold is coarse, and pays $18 per 



125 

ounce. Many shafts have been sunk here; water and timber 
are in abundance. These placers have been considerably- 
worked, and are undoubtedly not exhausted. 

"The Candeluria mine is located nine miles northeast of 
the town of Rosario, Sinaloa, and is on the same belt as the 
celebrated Tajo mine — distant therefrom only some three 
leagues. The mining location embraces 2400 feet in length, 
by 600 in width. The. mine was opened in 1860, and the 
only explorations consist of a shaft sunk to the depth of 100 
feet, and the mine being filled water, I was unable to exam- 
ine it. Samples of ore from the pillars yielded from f58 17 
j)er ton to |583 20, Assay. In the process of sinking 100 
feet and the stopes from the same, $35,000 was abstracted 
from the ore. The width of the vein is said to be from five 
to six feet, The conditions for cheap and econominal work 
are verj' favorable — both wood and water, the former of the 
very best quality — being close at. hand." — Thomas Price's 
Report on said lline, April 14-ih, 1881. 

The San Francisco mine belongs to the family of Maria, 
and is located in the northwestern part of Sinaloa, upon the 
northern spur of the Chihuahua range of the Sierra Madre, 
about midway on the mountain, at an elevation of about 600 
feet above the plain of that region. The mine is an old one, 
developed by shafts, with a depth of about 185 feet in the 
deepest shaft. The veins are numerous, cropping out of the 
mountain side, and can be readily traced. 

The Veta Madre as about three feet wide, carrying free 
gold and some silver. From $40 to $500 is produced from 
the ore upon assays made by a competent expert. The 
average assay is said to be about $70 or $80. We are also 
informed by an engineer who examined the property, to 
whom we are indebted for the foregoing, that the mine is 
now worked by Mexicans, with some six or seven arastras. 
Besides the foregoing, a very rich gold mine has been dis- 
covered near San Ignacio, in this State. 

The Panueo District — This district possesses some very 
rich mines. The Panueo mines, especially, have lately been 
favorably reported upon by a mining engineer sent from San 
Francisco, and the mines have been bonded, with a view to 
to purcliase and development. Br. Holland has this report 
in his possession, and we are informed by him that the gen- 
tlemen interested are perfectly satisfied, and are assured tliat 
they have made not only a safe but profitable investment. 
Not having the data at hand we are not able to give the ex- 



126 

act figures of the assay and the report is omitted, but we 
present in lieu thereof the following : 

From a report by Mark Cornish of Nov. 3, 1881. — The 
Panuco Mining District, situated in the State of Sinaloa, 
Mexico, sixty-five miles from the port of Mazatlan, is sur- 
rounded by good agricultural lands, supplying all kinds of 
produce at the lowest prices. The climate is healthy, the 
temperature ranges from 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and 
the location 2,000 feet above the sea level. Work must have 
been commenced in the difi^erent mines of the above mining 
district as far back as the beginning of last century, because 
about fifty years later an Indian by the name of Yizcarra 
discovered the mine called "Faizan," and out of its profits 
built the churches at Rosario, Concordia, Copala, Panuco and 
Guadalupe, using in their construction hewn stone and cement, 
at an expenditure of over five hundred thousand dollars. 
The silver bullion of this district was at one time the main 
support of the Royal Treasury at Rosario, where there was 
an ofiice for the collection of revenue to be paid to the Spanish 
Crown, on all bullion extracted from the mines. The follow- 
ing are the names of the mines of the district: "Animas 
Viejas," Faizan, S'ta Eduviges, Estufa, Covalenga, Cuevillas, 
Bomba, Chinanate, Nieves, Refugio, Amaloton Burrion, Ani- 
mas Nueves, Faizanito, Santa Rosa, Fronteras, Las Remedias, 
Cuevillas de Charcas, Palo Blanco, Tiempo, Toro, Piojo, 
Dolores, and San Cayetano, and may be a few more of which 
we don't remember the names at present. Along the Panuco 
mine there are still six mills in a ruined state. " The San 
ISTicolas" mill, which must have cost a good deal over $200,000, 
has, during six or eight months of the year, a water power of 
150 horses. 

The Panuco property also comprises 13 square leagues of the 
land surrounding the mining district, with plenty of water, 
abundant pasturage, and covered with pine, oak, and other 
kinds of timber. 

We know but very little of the workings of these mines in 
olden times. By tradition we know of a Mr. Zambrano, who 
worked some of the Panuco mines at the end of the last cen- 
tury. This gentleman became famous for having erected, in 
Durango, a palatial mansion, covering a block 600 feet long 
by 400 feet wide, which is used as a capitol of the State Gov- 
ernment at the present time. But what made him world- 
renowned was his extravagance in constructing the railing of 
all the balconies of solid silver. But the King ordered him 
to have them taken down, as, in the order, he said, that even 



127 

his Royal Majesty would not permit himself to display such 
magnificence. 

Regarding the workings of the present century, we know 
that a Mr. Remus, whose heirs reside in the city of Guada- 
lajara, worked, from 1820 to 1830, the "Santa Eduviges" and 
" Santa Rosa " claims, with very satisfactory results. Mr. 
Remus conveyed some of these mines to Mr. Ornezagay, of 
Durango, and this last one to Messrs. Flores & Gadea, of Tepie. 
In the year 1844 they were conveyed to Mr. Juan P. Machado, 
who also bought several other claims, intending to develop 
more extensively the mining industry of the district. He 
worked these mines until he died, in 1848. The other mines 
have been worked by various parties, with excellent results. 
The average assays from the "Faizan" mine pay $70 per ton, 
which is the same as in the "Animas," " Santa Rosa," " Santa 
Eduviges," "Faizanito," "Fronteras" and " Mina Grande" 
mines. Rock has been taken out from the Faizan mine 
which assayed as high as $2,000 per ton, but there is not 
enough of it. The "Estufa" mine turns out a large amount 
of ore, but the assays don't average over $40 per ton. The 
ores from almost all the Panuco mines are free milling, with 
the exception of those of the " Covalenga." The Panuco 
mines generally have but little water, and the greatest depth 
attained in any of them is not more than 600 feet. 

From a report by Mr. Frederic Weidner, Mining Engineer, 
on July loth, 1881. — The gold mine " La Union " or Boles 
mine was worked during the first decade of this century; and 
whilst there is no official record of what it yielded, the unani- 
mous testimony of surviving contemporaneous residents attest 
the fact that the mine was very rich, and only abandoned in 
consequence of the war of independence. A few years ago 
it was re-located and worked for a while by parties without 
means enough, who conveyed it to its present owners, viz.: 
Messrs. Maxemin Hermanos, Roman and Adelaide Osund, 
and successors of C. Fairbanks, who entered into legal pos- 
session in November last (1881), recording it under the name 
of " Union Mine." The mine is situated in the district of 
Mazatlan, 55 miles N.E. of this port (Mazatlan), on the west- 
ern slope of a mountain range forming one of the first steppes 
of the Sierra Madre, near the source of the Nacaral and Guay- 
mas creeks, which flow through the ravine called the San 
Juan, and empty into the Mazatlan river. Its summit rears 
200 feet above the entrance to the mine, at an elevation of 
1,550 feet above the sea, thus insuring a temperate, agreeable 
and healthful climate. The mine is situated in the heart of a 
forest of valuable timber, such as venadillo, mora, fig tree, 



128 

apomo, and other species, affording an inexhaustible supply 
for building and fuel. Within a radius of a few miles, on 
both banks of the Mazatlan river, there are ranchos, farms, 
and grazing fields, which furnish supplies at reasonable prices. 
For instance: corn at $5.00 per carga (300 lbs.) ; beans, $3.00; 
cattle, $10.00 per head. Good labor for the mine and carriers 
for precious metals are readily secured at the neighboring 
town of La ISToria. 

The mountain containing the ledges ot the Boles mine is 
granite, the same as the surrounding region. This kind of 
rock has the property here of decomposing or crumbling 
easily ; on the surface forming a peculiar gravel, called by the 
native Indians "tucurubay," which is easily reduced by the point 
of the bar or " talacha ;" but at a depth of 3 or 4 metres this 
same rock is so hard and solid that excavations of six or more 
metres in extent may be cut out, unsupported by timber and 
without fear of caving in. A considerable number of veins 
are traceable on the out-croppings. The only ones which 
have been worked heretofore are two, both quite irregular 
and varying in width and depth. The width ranges from 1 to 
5 feet. The body of the ledge is composed almost exclusively 
of white, compact quartz, with a bluish tinge, containing more 
or less gold; it being a noticeable fact that the gold occurs 
here disseminated in invisibly small particles, foliated, or in 
round or angular masses, varying from fine powder to grains 
like rice. In some eyes and threads of the vein the quartz is 
accompanied by pyrites of iron (commonly called "bronce* 
amarillo"), and talc of a dark cloudy green hue, resembling 
sometimes slate of chlorite, again serpentine, and in these 
cases these ores are always auriferous, and contain from twice 
to four times as much metal as the pure quartz. In addition 
to this auriferous ore, properly so called, there are found in 
the lower levels pockets of auri-argentiferous ore, containing 
antimonial sulphuret of lead, with a great deal of gold and 
some silver. 

The owners of the mine are now building a new and im- 
proved mill, costing $5,000, in the same ravine which comes- 
down from the mine at only 600 or 800 paces from the shaft. 
The machinery comprises a steam engine (8 x 16), 18-horse 
power, driving 5-stamp mill of 650 lbs., an apron, concentrator, 
True patent, and other auxiliary appliances. The yield by 
the arrastra from 1,204 cargas of the ore was $12,217.60, or 
over $10.00 per carga. 

La Joya Mining District. — The group of mines comprised 
within the boundaries of the "La Joya" property are known 
as the "Refugio" or " S'ta Eduviges," the "San Juan," the- 



129 

« Gloria," the "Eosario," the "Hilos," the "Kelis," the "Vir- 
ginia," and the "San Eugenio" mines. They are situated in 
the mining district of La Joya, prefecture of Sinaloa, State of 
Sinaloa, and distant about 120 miles from Culiacan, capital of 
the State, or 60 miles from the city of Sinaloa, and 90 miles 
from Plaza Colorado, a safe port in the Gulf of California, 
through which all high grade ores from the mines are ex- 
ported, and where mining machinery and materials destined 
for La Joya are regularly lauded. The climate is exceedingly 
healthy, the temperature ranging from 60° to 75° Fahrenheit. 
Grain and produce abound in the neighborhood, at very mod- 
erate prices, the property being located within 4 leagues (10 
miles) of the best agricultural lands in the country. 

The width of the veins (of the above property) vary some- 
what in the different mines. Thus the "S'ta Eduviges " or 
"Refugio" averages from 7 to 13 feet; the "San Juan," 13 
feet ; the " Gloria," from 6 to 14 feet, and the " Rosario " 
more than the " Refugio," The veins are encased between 
good solid walls of dioritic porphyry intercepted by crystal- 
lized poryhyry, in small quantities, combined with decom- 
posed granite in large masses. Along the entire length of 
the location numberless small veins crop out and traverse the 
ground in different directions, but no evidence is shown that 
the main lodes are broken anywhere upon the surface. Mr. 
Munoz lays great stress upon the fact that the geological 
formation of this district favors the production of extensive 
bodies of rich ores. He decribes the same as appertaining 
to the trappeanic period, which is of a porphyritic nature, 
showing a greater ejection of precious metals than other 
metalliferous zones. 

The two most interesting mines are the " S'ta Eduviges" and 
" Rosario." They have been somewhat extensively openedi 
and much valuable ore taken out of them, and still it is easily 
shown that their mineral wealth is merely skimmed, as the- 
average depth of the works does not exceed 420 feet. At this, 
depth the veins are more defined, and the ore chutes become 
more regular and permanent, and the ore averages a greater- 
richness than nearer the surface. 

Mexicans never touch a vein which does not pay from its; 
very surface, and then they only follow the ore body encoun- 
tered, until the excavations become dangerous or expensive 
from want of ventilation or drainage. No dead work of anj 
consequence is ever done. Perpendicular or hoisting shafts 
are seldom met with in any mining district; no explorations, 
underground are undertaken to any extent, with a view to, 
discover ore chutes other than the one originally followed in tha 



130 

same vein. N"o matter what treasures a mine may contain in 
its lower levels, no cross-cuts are made, and it is simply by 
accident that more than one ore body is developed in a single 
vein. And then how often do we see a mine with many 
mouths or openings, started one after the ether, abandoned as 
the ore body in the previous excavation would pinch or break 
off, or as water would be encountered. 

The ores contain mainly silver with a small percentage of 
gold. The expense of milling does not exceed $1.31 per carga 
of 300 lbs., including freightage from the mine. The yield 
varies according to the quality of the ores, but only such" ores 
are worked as assay a minimum of 40 ounces of silver to the 
ton, of which there are always great quantities. 

There is never any scarcity of workmen. The Barreteros 
or drill-men get $1.00 per diem, and the same wages are 
paid to timberers. The ore carriers get 75 cents per day, and 
all other common laborers at the mill only 50 cents for 10 
hours' work. The workmen are paid weekly, and receive 75 
per cent, of their wages in merchandise and 25 per cent, in 
coin. The present owners keep a store for the purpose, and 
reap a benefit of 75 per cent, upon their investment. The 
ores exported, for account of Messr. Martinez de Castro, show 
a total of 8,818 sacks, weighing, net, 1,263,447 lbs. The same 
foot up a gross yield of £55,771 (sterling), 8s., 3d., and equal 
to about $269,931.64. 

San Fkancisco, May 15th, 1882. 

From a report of Mr. J. 0. Turner, made on Feb. 12th, 
1881, to the Mexican Exploring and Mining Syndicate, we 
•quote the following: — The Cuatro Senores mine is situated 
an Copala mining district, judicial district of Concordia, 65 
miles from the port of Mazatlan. Work was first commenced 
-on this mine August, 1868, and has since been carried for- 
ward, and it has never failed to yield ore in paying quantities. 
'The ledge crops out about 600 feet below the apex of a very 
liigh mountain, elevation being 6,000 feet above sea level. The 
croppings can be easily traced for a distance of 4,000 feet. 
A tunnel was run in from a point 200 feet below the croppings, 
cutting the ore vein at a distance of 300 feet. At this point 
the ledge was found to be dipping at an angle of 60° to the 
north, the course of the vein being east and west. At the 
point where the ore was first encountered in the tunnel, it 
was extracted by opening a large chamber, which is still being 
continued, and at the present time extends in length on a line 
with the vein 300 feet, following the foot wall on the south 
.side across the vein for a distance of 170 feet, with ore still in 



131 

the face and no appearance of any hanging wall as yet. The 
highest place of the chamber or stope is YO feet above the 
tunnel, through the entire face of the slope. The vein looks 
well and yields large quantities of high grade ore. The ore 
has run from $50 to $364 per ton. An eight- stamp mill is 
reducing the ore on the Panuco river at the rate of ten tons 
per day. The mill is about one and a half miles from the 
mine, and the ore is transported by pack mules from the mine. 
This mine is one of the valuable properties of Sinaloa, and is 
mostly owned by Mexicans residing in Mazatlan. 

The Nuestra Senores mine is located north-east of Cosala, 
on the Elota Kiver, near the source, and almost on the 
boundary line, and is owned by Mauricio La Madrid, and is 
about 20 miles from Cosala. This mine contains two classes 
of ore; one being lead and silver, while the other is free 
milling silver ore. The depth attained is about 200 feet. 
The lead-bearing ore assays about $80 per ton, and the free- 
milling ore nearly $120, on an average. This mine is 
reported to have reached a " bonanza " that assays as high 
as $1,000 per ton. An attempt was lately made to purchase 
this mine for $500,000, an expert having been sent to exam- 
ine the property, who reported very favorably upon it. A 
small, four-stamp prospecting mill, for the purpose of pros- 
pecting the mine, has been reducing the ore, and the result 
is said to have been very satisfactory. This is an old mine, 
and very celebrated; and Mr. Ward tells us that its former 
owner, Don Francisco Iriarte, at one time (in 1825) refused 
an offer of $1,000,000 for the privilege of working this mine 
for three years, by a foreign association. The mine is free 
from water, and situated at a considerable elevation above 
the plain. It contains a vein of gold of considerable 
breadth, and its former reputation was fabulous. 

Barreteras Mine. — This mine is celebrated. The town 
of Cosala was built up by it, and a church founded upon its 
productions. The mine has produced many bonanzas, 
yielding rich results. The character of the pre is native 
silver. The mine is developed by a shaft of 500 feet in 
depth, and by a tunnel over 1100 feet in length, from the 
side of the mountain into the heart of the vein. The mine 
is located at the summit of the mountain, in the Sierra 
Madre, distant from Cosala about six miles west. The view 
is grand from this point, extending over a hundred miles, as 
far as the eye can reach, over mountain-tops. The vein is 
about two feet in ore deposits. It reaches only six or eight 
inches with seams of native silver, that are extracted by the 



182 

barraton, or a cliisel. The pockets reach, sometimes, 20 or 
30 feet aloiio* the vein at irresrular distances. The mine is 
owned and worked by Mexicans. The character of the rock 
surrounding the vein is a granite formation, easily worked. 
The ore is smelted by furnaces. The ore is almost virgin 
silver, as at Batopilas. The lower levels are filled with 
water. 

At one extremity of the district of Cosala is found a great 
number of gold and silver bearing quartz mines that are said 
to be very rich. The ore carrying gold is mostly free mill- 
ing, and the mines have yielded very largely in the past. 
They have been worked extensively by natives and Span- 
iards; but on reaching water, could not go any farther, in 
the absence of machinery, and the mines were consequently 
abandoned, after a large expenditure of capital upon them. 
Another cause of abandonment was continual revolutions, or 
organized robbery, that forced the owners to pay a tribute 
on their wealth, and at last drove them away; and either 
fearing to return, or finding lucrative employment and 
mines elsewhere, the mines, consequently, became entirely 
abandoned and filled with water. 

There are many of these old mines closely grouped to- 
gether that are not adjacent to any settlements, but in the 
midst of one of the wildest regions of the mountains, that 
is hardly ever entered, save in the search for lost cattle. 
A good wagon-road may be constructed from these mines 
to the river, and reach a railroad that is to be built, passing 
within 15 miles of the mines. Wood is abundant, and water 
sufficient to run an ordinary mill the year round. 

There are quite a number of extensive veins of rich gold 
and silver bearing ores in this region that have yielded 
largely wherever they have been worked, within a radius 
of 12 miles, and all contain ores easy of reduction. 

To the east of this locality is located another rich mineral 
region, called Vetillas, from the large number of rich veins 
that have been found in the neighborhood. The ores are 
more uneven and rebelhous; but the location is good, with 
a perpetual stream passing through the district and adjacent 
to the location of the mines. The mountains are of high 
elevation, with hard-wood trees covering their sides that 
would be valuable for timbering the mines, etc. Here are 
located furnaces for smelting the ores, which were aban- 
doned with the mines by the former owners. 

The celebrated Guadalupe de Los Reyes mine is located 
within about 24 miles of these antiquated haciendas, north- 



133 

east, and other mines that are being worked with good 
results. This is an old mining region, that was worked by 
Spaniards under the Spanish regime; but the owners were 
obliged to flee in the war for independence. The ruins of 
ancient arastras and furnaces are numerous, and prove the 
locality to have been extensively worked. These mines 
have not been worked for about 70 years. The old mill-site 
could be restored, and the mines reopened, providing an ex- 
pert should deem the enterprise profitable. The arastras 
were run by water power, and the veins opened as close as 
possible to the stream, which naturally filled the shafts with 
water. One of these old mines was called Mina de Plata. 
The residents nearest to these mines report that they were 
very rich, and contained bonanzas. 

The adjacent river bottoms are planted with orange, lime, 
and plantain trees in different places, with other tropical 
fruits. 

A wagon-road can be constructed from this point to Ma- 
zatlan, at a small cost, passing through or near large ranchos 
that are cultivated extensively, producing corn, beans, sugar-- 
cane, and other productions. This region is located north 
from Mazatlan, distant about 70 miles. 

The Palmarajo is another old district; also, the ancient 
mining district situated in the northern part of the State 
near the boundary line of Sonora, called the De Chois and 
Ycora districts, that were, at one time, extensively^ worked, 
and contains some good mines; also, the celebrated ancient 
mining district of San Jose de Gracias, which is located in 
the midst of an almost inaccessible mountainous region, in 
the northern part of the State. Since their abandonment 
years ago, they have scarcely been worked but by gambu- 
cinos. This region formerly had a fabulous reputation. 



CHnrUAHTJA. 



CHAPTER I. 
General Description. 

The State of Chihuahua is bounded on the west and south 
by Sonora, west by Siualoa, on the north by 'New Mexico 
and Texas, and on the north-east by Texas along the Rio 
Grande, and on the south by Sinaloa and Durango, and on 
the east by Coahaila. The area of the State extends over 
100,000 square miles, with a sparse population of about 
190,000. 

The state is divided into 18 cantons or departments, as 
follows: Iturbide, Aldama, Abasolo, Victorio, Ros.des, 
Meoqui, Morelos, Bravos, Hidalgo, Alleude, Carnargo, Balleza, 
Jimenez, Guerrero, Galeana, Rayon, Matamoras, and Ar- 
teaga. 

The great plateau west of the Rio Grande region consists 
of undulating prairies, with here and there a conical shaped 
hill, and extends to the Sierra Madre mountains on the 
west and south-west. There are some depressions in the 
plains which, if opened, would supply water. Then we 
have the large body of water south-west of El Paso, known 
as Lake Guzman, and the River Mimbres. This river rises 
in the Rocky Mountains, in New Mexico, and, after cours- 
ing through the plateau, discharges itself when full into 
Lake Guzman. It seldom reaches the lake, however, its 
waters being absorbed or lost in the sandy plains. Its 
sources have never been traced out, as far as kuown. It 
must flow about 130 miles, when fall. 

Lake Guzman, during the wet season, is about 30 miles 
long and from five to six miles wide, and seldom dries out 
entirely, although it is almost surrounded bj^ sterile tracts 
of land covered with sand plains and alkali, interspersed 
with sand-hills. It is located about 60 miles south-west of 
El Paso, more in a westerly direction. These sand plains 
extend the most of this distance, after leaving the Rio 
Grande region, until the neighboring lands of the lake are 
reached. 

134 



135 

The whole water system of the state embraces, besides Lake 
Guzman, four other small lakes or pools, called Maria, Cande- 
laria, St, Martin, and Patos, and are all located north of the 
central part of the state, in depressions of the table lands, 
with the exception of lakes St. Martin and Candelaria, nearer 
the center and south and south-west of the sand plains. In 
the mountain ranges and spurs of the Sierra which are cut 
with deep gorges and canons, and which are located in the 
western, south-western and southern part of the state, there 
are many mines of the precious and useful metals, containing 
gold, silver, copper, lead, iron, tin, saltpeter, bituminous 
coal, and cinnabar. This region is also noted for forest trees 
of great value which cover the mountain sides, especially 
near the water-courses and between the ranges. The Sierra 
Madre range extends along the western boundary of the 
state, and is almost impassable except at the northern and 
western, south-western, and southern, part of the state, 
through the canons of these localities. The Mulatos River, 
sometimes called the Papigochi, which is a branch of the 
Yaqui River in Sonora, rises in the Sierra Madre, south-west 
of Chihuahua City, and flows north-west through a pass in 
the mountains east of, and near Aribechi in Sonora. The 
tributaries from the neighboring valleys flow into this stream 
(Mulatos) near the pass. The river Buenaventura also rises 
ill the Sierra Madre and flows north of the Presidio of Bu- 
enaventura into the small lake or pool of St. Maria, while 
another small stream loses its waters in the table lands near 
the Presidio de Janos, which is connected with a road to 
Bapispe in Sonora on the west, about 40 miles distant. The 
river Carmen rises west of lake St. Martin and empties into 
lake Patos in a northerly direction. South-east of lake 
Patos is located another extensive sand and alkali plain on 
the table lands that reache to the hills bordering on the 
valley of the Rio Grande and the river Conch os, over a terri- 
tory of about 120 miles long and 40 wide. The latter river 
has many tributaries taking their rise in the mountains south 
of th- central part of the state, and flows by Santa Rosalia, 
San i \iblo, and other towns in a northerly course, with many 
windings, into the Rio Grande at the Presidio del ISTorte, 
and is about 300 miles long. East and south-east of the riv- 
er Conchos and south of the Rio Grande extends the vast 
desert called "Bolson de Mapimi," which embraces all the 
extreme eastern part of the state south of the Rio Grande 
and also a portion of the state of Coahuila on the east. In 
this plain are dried-up lakes, and the whole is completely 



136 

covered up with a vast tract of sand and alkali plains which 
are sterile and completely deserted, and entirely destitute of 
water. l!^ear the rugged sierras are mesquite - covered 
plains, but beyond them lies the vast desert of Eolsou de 
Mapirai, extending over 250 miles from north to south and 
100 miles in width, through which no traveler ever passes, 
as the road to Durango and Mexico lies to the south-west. 
Thus it will be seen that a large portion of Chihuahua is 
absorbed on the east by the desert lands, and north-east and 
the south-west by mountains and broken regions, the latter 
taking up about one-third of the state, and the former, or 
about one-fourth, is desert wilds. The balance of the region 
on the Mexican side of the Rio Grande to the Gulf of Mex- 
ico is mountainous through Coahuila, New Leon, and Ta- 
maulipas, bordering on table lands that are intersected with 
rivers flowing through small valleys into the Rio Grande, 
and is very sparsely settled until the slope toward the gulf is 
reached. 

On the Rio Grande is located Laredo in the state of Ta- 
maulipas, which has assumed some importance on account 
of the Alexican Central terminating at that point, passing 
through Monterey, Kew Leon, and other cities on the direct 
route to Mexico City. 

Mr. Ruxton says that "the State of Chihuahua produces 
gold, silver, copper, iron, saltpetre, and other minerals; but 
it is productive of mineral wealth alone, for the soil is thin 
and poor, and there is everywhere a scarcity of water; but 
it is a paradise for sportsmen. In the sierras and mountains 
are found the black and grizzly bear of the Rocky Mount- 
ains, the latter of which is very abundant in the neighbor- 
hood of Chihuahua. The big horn, or Rocky Mountain 
sheep, and black-tailed deer, tlie ' cola prieta,' (a large spe- 
cies of fallow deer) a species of pheasant and quail in abund- 
ance, and birds of brilliant plumage are found. Among the 
reptiles are the rattlesnake and copper-head, and scorpion, the 
latter of which is found all over the republic. The charac- 
teristic yhrub of the elevated plains of Chihuahua is the 
mesquite, a species of acacia, which grows to the height of 
10 to 12 feet. The seeds contained in a small pod are used 
by the Apaches to make a kind of bread or cake, which is 
sweet or succulent to the taste. The wood is extremely 
hard and heavy. 

" Li Durango and Chihuahua, the ranchos are supplied with 
such simple goods as they require by small traders, resident 
in the capitals of those states, who trade from one village to 



137 

another, with two or three wagons, which, when their goods 
are sold, they freight with supphes for the cities or mines." 
There are about 200 villages and towns in the state, the 
principal ones being Chihuahua and EI Paso del ISTorte. The 
former is the capital, and is located south of the central 
portion of the state, about 230 miles from El Paso del Norte 
and El Paso Texas on the Rio Grande. 

Soil, Productions, and Grazing. 

The soil is fertile, especially on the water courses between 
the mountain ranges and along the Rio Grande. Outside of 
mining, grazing forms the principal pursuit; though the 
vine, wheat, corn, peas, beans, barley, cotton, and sugar- 
cane, are cultivated to some extent. This is a great grazing 
state, abounding in stock, which are disposed of in Texas 
and Kentucky. Good grazing is found on the table lands in 
many places, where immense herds of stock of all kinds are 
raised: although along the water-courses the best grazing is 
found. Along the Las Casas Grandes, and Concljas, and 
other streams, which almost entirely disappear in the sands 
during the dry season, immense herds of stock are raised. 
In the neighborhood of Chihuahua, about 170 to 180 miles 
south-east of Lake Guzman, are located extensive ranchos. 
One of these is owned hy Don Encinallas. This rancho has 
about 300,000 head of cattle, sheep, horses and mules, on its 
grazing lands. Some agricultural productions are also raised 
in the state on the banks of the streams which are used to 
irrigate the lands. 

The mines of the State constitute almost its sole feature of 
importance, outside of the grazing or raising of stock on the 
fertile table lands and. banks of the water-courses. The 
climate of Chihuahua is varied; cold in tlie winter, and in 
the mountainous districts it reaches the freezing point; and 
snow falls about two feet deep. In the valleys the tempera- 
ture varies from the cool and pleasant in winter to heat 
in the extreme. The clirnate of the state on the whole can 
be said to be much cooler than cither that of Sonora or 
Sinaloa. 



138 

CHAPTER II. 
Chihuahua. 

The city of Chihuahua is the capital of the State, and is 
located west of the Conchos River near the center of 
the state, and is distant from Mexico, in a direct line, 
about 1,250 miles; from El Paso, in a south-west direction, 
about 280 miles; and from Guaymas, by way of Baleza, in 
Chihuahua, and Alamos, in Sonora, 600 miles. It is reached 
by a stage or wagon road from El Paso, on the north, and 
Laredo on the Rio Gd^ande, on the east in Tamaulipas — the 
projected terminus of the Mexican Central R. R. — byway 
of Durango; and Mexico on the south-east, byway ofDu- 
rango, a direct line of communication being opened to all 
of these points. From Alamos, through Batopilas, it ia 
about 230 miles. 

The road through to Alamos has not yet been put into 
complete condition for wagons; hence, the most of the travel 
in that direction is on the back of mules. The city of Chi- 
huahua was built toward the close of the seventeenth cen- 
tury, although the State was originally inhabited and occu- 
pied at Las Casas Grandes by the Aztecs many centuries 
ago. No one knows the date, farther than by the records 
of the ancients, which say that the state was occupied by 
the Aztecs at that place in 1160, or over seven centuries 
ago. 

The city of Chihuahua is well laid out, with the streets 
crossing each other at right angles. They are broad, well 
paved, and kept quite clean. The square called the Plaza 
Mayor is quite extensive, and ornamented on one side by 
the famous cathedral, which has been pronounced by- 
American traders to be one of the finest structures in the 
world. This building cost $800,000, and is constructed of 
brown stone masonry. It is surmounted with a dome and 
two towers, and is in imitation of the modern Gothic, 
mingled with the Moorish style of architecture. It is a 
large building, having a handsome fagade embellished with 
statues of the Twelve Apostles. 

On the otner side of the Plaza, there are public and pri- 
vate buildings, including the ancient State House. 

The unfinished Convent of San Francisco also looms up 
from the other buildings, a " conspicuous mass of masonry and 
bad taste," says Mr. Ruxton. In the center of the plaza, 
which is adorned with flowers and orange and other trop- 



139 

ical trees and shrubs, a beautiful fountain plays day and 
night, which is supplied with water continually by a well- 
constructed aqueduct a little over three miles loner, which 
carries water from a tributary of the Conehos River or 
stream. This aqueduct supphes the town with w^ater, and 
is supported on several stupendous arcades, which adds 
much to the massive architecture in the town. 

The large cathedral was built out of the proceeds from 
one mine in the vicinity, which struck a bonanza that con- 
tinued for nine years, and was apparently inexhaustible. 
One real was laid aside for each marc of silver produced, 
and a fund was formed, out of which this magniticent cathe- 
dral of Chihuahua was built, and a reserve fund formed of 
$100,000. A mint is also located here. Much trade is car- 
ried on between this city and San Antonio, Texas, and St. 
Louis, and Santa F^. It is also the resort of many strangers 
from New Mexico, California, Texas, Sonora, and Sinaloa. 
The city contains about 18,000 inhabitants. The Jesuit 
Convent of San Francisco before mentioned is celebrated as 
having been the place of confinement of the patriot Hidalgo, 
the Mexican Hampden, who was executed in a yard behind 
the building, in 1811. A monument has been erected to 
his memory in the Plaza de i-\rmas, and is a pyramid of 
stone, with an inscription eulogistic of his character and 
patriotic record. 

The shops are filled with goods from the various points 
before mentioned, and it is not unusual to find the finest of 
imported silks, and other costly articles from Europe and 
India. Traders arriving in Chihuahua either sell their 
goods in bulk to resident merchants, or open out a store on 
their own account. The goods are brought across the bor- 
der from the United States in wagons; and some years ago, 
a law was passed by the state, charging a duty of $500 for 
each wagon-load, without taking into account the value or 
nature of the articles. The result was, that one wagon was 
made to carry three loads, to evade the duty on two loads. 
This has been abolished since, we understand, and the laws 
relating to duties are general throughout the republic. The 
city of Chihuahua supplies all the surrounding country. 

Las Casas Grandes and its Legend. 

The famous Las Casas Grandes, or Great Houses, are 
located towards the north-western part of the state, on the 
west bank of the Las Casas Grandes Iliver, which flows into 



140 

Bio los Couchos. Here lie, decomposing and moldering un- 
dei" the luxuriance of vegetable growth, the ruins of Aztec 
greatness. 

A legend is related by Spanish historians of the migration 
of the Aztecs to Chihuahua and Arizona, where a portion 
also located and built the Casas Graudes, ruins of which are 
now seen in that territory. The legend is found in the work 
of Antonio Garcia Cubas, and in the works of many other 
Spanish writers, and is as follows: 

'Huitziton, a person of great authority among the Az- 
tecs, heard in the branches of a tree the trilling of a small 
bird, which in its song repeated the sound 'tihuc,' the lit- 
eral meaning of which is, 'let us go.' Huitziton being 
struck at this, and communicating his impressions to another 
personage, called Tecpaltzin, they both induced the Aztecs 
to leave their country, interpreting the song as a mandate 
from divinity. Even to the present day, there is a bird 
known among the Mexicans by the name of ' Tihuitochan ' 
(Let us go home). 

"In 1160 they commenced their peregrination, and passing 
by a large river in which historians concur in being the 
Colorado and which discharges itself into the Gulf of Cali- 
fornia, they advanced toward the river Gila, after remaining 
for some time at a place known to-day by the name of Casa 
Grande, not far from the shores of that river. From thence 
they continued their road and again took up quarters at a 
place to the north-west of Chihuahua, now called like the 
previous stopping place, Las Casas Grandes, and whose ruins 
show the vast proportions of the ancient building and fort- 
ress. Leaving behind them the wide " Sierra de la Tara- 
humara," they afterward went toHueycolhuacan, now Culia- 
can, capital of the state of Sinaloa, and there remained for 
three years, during which time they made the statue of 
their god Huitzilopochtli, which was to accompany them in 
their expedition. 

"During their peregrination the tribe was divided into two 
factions, one faction settling on a sandy promontory calle 1 
Tlaltelolco. The name of Mexico was given to the new city, 
in honor of their god who was born of a virgin belonging to 
the famil}'' of Citli, and he was cradled in the heart of a 
maguey plant (or metl); hence the name 'Mecitli,' lifter- 
ward changed into 'Mexico,' The popular drink of the 
Mexican people is made from this same plant, and is called 
* mescal,' a strong intoxicating liquor." 

From the appearance, of the Las Casas Grandes or the 



141 



great houses, it would seem that their outer proportions were 
the lowest, and not above one story high; while the central 
ones were from three to six stories high. The ruins are con- 
structed of adobe, though these are much larger than those 
in use among the Mexicans at the present day. From a 
report touching a close examination of Las Casas Grandes, it 
is to be inferred that they occupied a space of at least 800 
feet from north to south, and from east to west near 250. 
On the south side a regular and continuous wall or fortifica- 
tion may be traced, while the eastern and western fronts are 
extremely irregular, leaving projecting walls. Within the 
inclosure there appear to have been several court-yards of 
greater or less dimensions, l^as Casas Grandes here resem- 
ble those near the Pimo villages on the Gila in Arizona. 
The town near, of the same name, has about 1,500 inhabit- 
ants. 



CHAPTER III. 

RIO GRANDE REGION. 

iN'ear El Paso del ISTorte there is a good agricultural coun- 
try. This town is located in the extreme north-western 
portion of the state on the Rio Grande. The products of 
this region are grapes, fruit, wheat, Indian corn, and other 
cereals. The bottom lands along the Rio Grande are ex- 
tremely rich, and extend back from the river about one 
mile; beyond this rolling hills into the table-lands, which con- 
tinue until broken by the valleys of the four lakes and their 
streams before mentioned. About 70 or 80 miles from El 
Paso del Norte, in the interior, in a southern direction, the 
land is sterile, as before mentioned. Then as the country 
nears Baranca, a small town situated east of Las Casas 
Grandes, the country grows better, and the soil extremelj- 
rich, in places. South of these sand plains there is a good 
grazing country. There is no water to be found near these 
sand plains, and water has to be carried in crossing them. 
The Rio Grande region extends along the Rio Grande the 
whole extent of the north-western boundary, and small 
towns are occasionally met with on the road, among which 
may be mentioned El Presidio del Norte, and San Vicente. 
Much stock is raised all along this region, and some agricul- 
tural productions. 



142 
From El Paso to the City of Chihuahua. 

Mr. Julius Froebel recounts as follows a trip from El Paso 
to Chihuahua City in 1859. He was in company with some 
merchants, and we give his description for the benefit of our 
readers: 

" For the first five or six days journey from El Paso to 
Chihuahua, a choice of two roads is presented. The one 
is considerably shorter, but dangerous and difficult, as it 
takes a southern direction over the notorious raedauos, or 
quicksand hills, the other avoids these by following the 
course of the river two days journey' as far as the village 
Guadalupe, and again joins the high road somewhat to the 
north of Carrizal. We chose the last, and our caravan pro- 
ceeded down the valley to Guadalupe. 

The road, at first, passed close along the base of the allu- 
vial terrace, through thickets of mezquite and a scrivbby 
plant of the order of compositae, then it wound up the ter- 
race, which consists of sand-gravel and fragments of rocks 
overgrown with mezquite, larrea, fouquiera, artemesia, shrub- 
by labiate, cacti yuccas, etc. In some places the river had 
formed its channel close to the terrace, forming a perpendic- 
ular sand clifi^', rendering the road at its very edge in no 
slight degree dangerous." 

The town of Guadalupe is reached in three days travel 
from El Paso. About six miles lower down the river, a new 
village named San Ygnacio has been founded by the settle- 
ment of New Mexico immigrants. 

From hence (Guadalupe,) the Sierra de Cantarrecioon the 
left and the Sierra Guadalupe on the right, the road rises 
gradually to the higher ground south of the Eio Grande. 
The space between the above named mountains is a plain 
rising somewhat to the south, and covered with the common 
chapparral of these localities. At noon we stopped at Can- 
tarrecio, a watering-place, where we found only a tittle mud- 
dy water. In the evening, when dark, we passed — turning 
to the west, by a slow ascending plain of firm clayey soil, 
which contracted to a small mountain pass — the chain of hills, 
by which the terrace of Centarrecio is separated from that of 
the medanos, and encamped for the night on the opposite 
side, on a grass covered plain. The mountain peaks, near 
the pass, are bare, rocky and in some places of grotesque 
form. On the right an opening passes through the rock 
from one side of the mountain to the other, and one of our 
Mexican drivers told me that this part of the mountain is 



143 

named from this circumstance Sierra de la Ventana, " "Win- 
dow Mountain.', This name, however, did not appear to be 
generally used, for a gentleman, who had accompanied us 
from El Paso, called it Sierra de los Medanos, or Sandhill 
Mountain. Behind this road, as we approached it from the 
East, the needles and peaks of the Sierra de la Rancheria, 
which bears a striking resemblance to the Sierra de las Or- 
ganos. Farther on eastward appears another similar mount- 
ain group called Sierra del Caudelario. In the plain at the 
back of the former are the Charcos del Grado, pools sur- 
rounded by mimbre bushes. (Mimbre is a beautiful shrub 
which in Northern Mexico, from Bio Grande to California, 
flourishes on the banks of intermitting streams. It is a 
biquoniaceous plant, with piuk and white blossoms, and long 
pendant lanceolate leaves — a chilopsis.) 

In the afternoon we distinguished as we thought, the smoke 
of five fires in a southerly direction, but the next day we dis- 
covered that they had been clouds of dust caused by whirl- 
winds. In the evening we advanced over a level plain 
towards a mountain chain of perpendicular rocks, anong 
which one remarkably angular and definod in its form, the 
Cerro de Lucerr o attracts attention. We encamped next 
morning at Ojo de Lucerro, a spring near the Laguna de las 
Patos. This is a lake on the left of the road. The plain is 
mostly covered with grass, but near the Cerro de Lucerro 
tracts of clay or sand are covered with an eftervescence appa- 
rently of carbonate of soda. 

One road, at least, took us over places of this nature, and 
from appearances, it seemed probable that, to the right of 
the road, they existed to a considerable extent. It was over 
this portion of the plain, that we had seen, and now saw 
more closely, those columns of dust. Their recurrence in 
the same locality may be accounted for by the nature of the 
soil. 

At no great distance from the Ojo de Lucerro we met with 
another spring, Ojo del Coyote, remarkable as rising in the 
summit of a sandhill about twenty or thirty feet high. This 
curious circumstance is however easily explained, the sand- 
hill being built up by the spring. It is surrounded by the 
same kind of efflorescence. The Mexicans call this salt, 
which they collect for soap-boiling, "Tequesquite," evi- 
dently an Aztec word. A few miles farther, at no great dis- 
tance from the Laguno de los Patos, a warm spring rises in 
several eddies from the white sand. It forms a clear, tepid 
brook, which flows into a piece of water, surrounded by tall 



144 

reeds, on the side of the road. This place was frequented 
by numbers ot waterfowl — ducks, coots and a large black, 
web-footed bird, with very long legs, long neck and long bill, 
called by the Mexicans " Gallareda." They flew, when dis- 
turbed, in wedge-shaped flocks, with outstretched necks, 
like geese. The spring and piece of water are called Ojo de 
la Laguna. The water is slightly alkali, and a white efflor- 
escence collected at its edge. In eight days travel Carrizal is 
reached. 

The situation of Carrizal is one of the most beautiful on 
the North Mexican table land. An extensive plain, watered 
by several streams, is surrounded in the distance by a girdle 
of bare, steep mountains. A clear mountain stream, dis- 
pensing fertility to field and meadow in its course, flows 
through lands between varied banks for miles through the 
plain, its course marked by rows of poplars. Twenty years 
ago herds of manj'' hundreds of thousands of cattle grazed 
upon the plain; now they have dwindled to the mere shadow 
of their former numbers, and, comparing tliis locality with 
the wealth it was known formerly to possess, the conclusion 
is irresistable that, of all destructive animals, man is the 
worst. The place, indeed, is full of ruins, and lies on a 
raised platform, consisting of hard red clay, with pebbles 
and fragments of sandstone, evident!}' changed by the influ- 
ence of heat; black sloamaceous lava, yellow and green 
sienna, much resembling pumice, and numerous pebbles of 
chalcedon. The country is bare of trees, with the excep- 
tion of the poplars along the irrigating canals, so that tliey 
are literally the only trees visible throughout the whole 
journey from the Rio Grande to Chihuahua. We reached 
towards evening, two days later, a vvarm spring of rather 
high temperature, named Ojo Caliente, which rises at the 
base of a group of phonolitic hills. The water, which is clear 
and pure in taste, forms a considerable stream, but I am 
not sure whether it reaches the Laguna de los Patos, or is 
retained in the plain for purposes of irrigation. Numerous 
fisli sported in its waters. 

We traveled next day from morning till evening between 
bare mountains, over rocky, treeless, but grass-covered hills, 
and passed a portion of the night on the broad, level pass of 
Chinute, a notorious place, where numerous bones of men 
and animals warned us not to leave hold of our arms. Many 
parties of travelers have been attacked here by tlje Indians, 
with much loss of life.. The rocks consist of a green and 
grey hard phonolitic porphyry. We started at two o'clock 



145 

in the morning, in order to reach the Laguna de Encinillas 
without a halt. Toward eight o'clock we came to a descent 
in the rocks which, from the name of a hacienda on the other 
Bide of the mountain, is called the descent of Agua Nueva, 
and leads to the lower level of the lake. The hacienda oi 
Agua Nueva is one of the few large grazing estates in ISTorth 
Mexico, where the herds still exist on the old Mexican scale 
of cattle keeping. 

As we descended the hill, the largest herd of antelopes 
passed, that I have ever seen. It must have numbered 
more than 1,000, and extended from one mountain to another 
straight across the valley, vanishing as quick almost as 
thought from our sight. The plain in which the Lake of 
Enciiiillas lies, is surruounded by steep mountains, and is 
one of the richest and most valuable localities in the world for 
cattle grazing, in times past supporting inumerable herds; 
now it is almost a dessert. The trip consumed fourteen 
days. 

Iios Medanos. 

The medanos or sand-hillls are a peculiar feature of the 
northern part of Chihuahua, and are enconntered on the road 
from El Paso to Chihuahua City. These hills stretch in a 
line from northwest to southeast for some twenty miles, and 
are about six miles across from northeast to southwest, 
E"early destitute of vegetation, their light yellow-wliitish 
appearance presents a strong contrast to the deep brown of 
•the adjacent mountains during the dry .season. This sand is 
very light and fine and forms deep ridges resembling the 
waves of the ocean, which are continually shifted about by 
the winds, entirely obhterating the tracks of passing caravans 
or stage. The whitened bones of mules and cattle project 
here and there from the sand, with an occasional carcase 
which was dried up before the wolves discovered it. 
Although this route is the shortest by some sixty miles it is 
invariably avoided by trains or loaded wagons. These, take 
the river route which passes entirely beyond their farthest 
southern extremity. Persons on horseback, pack-mules and 
light pleasure wagons, or the stage, alone attempt to cross 
the hills. This place is also attended with great danger 
from the attacks of the Apaches, who well know tjie helpless 
condition of animals passing and take the opportunity to at- 
tack parties. 

From Correlitos there is no other road to El Paso for wag- 
ons, except by making a complete circuit around these hills. 



146 

This point is one of the favorite [)laces of attack of the 
Apaches, and is peculiarly dangerous on account of the late 
hostile demonstrations by these murderous bands of savaged. 
Travelers are warned to avoid this point of all others while 
Iravelino: throusjh Chihuahua. 

From Chihuahua to Durango. 

The distance between the cities of Chihuahua and Durango 
IS from 390 to 400 miles. The most of this distance is only 
traveled hy ra^le pack trains, although a wagon road could 
be easily opened. The direct route leads through small 
towns and villages. The trail takes a southeast direction 
over the plain, about 40 miles when a small pond or lake 
called La Cieneguilla and a small stream that empties into 
the Rio Florido a branch of the Rio Conchos, about 30 miles 
traveled, reaches the rancho Alamito, which is situated 
about 8 to 10 miles from the banks of another stream empty- 
ing into the Florido. A stretch of about 55 miles takes the 
traveler to Hidalgo, at one time quite an important town. 
The trail then continues almost due south to San Jose del 
Parral, distant, about 35 miles. Here the line of travel takes 
■Si southwest course, crossing the headwaters of the Rio 
Plorido, about 25 miles further. The Fuerte Cerro Gordo 
is reached about 8 miles beyond. The distance to Las Pin- 
oles is near fifty miles, over a dry barren region. The trail 
following the same course, it here takes a southerly course 
to Fuerte de Gallo, nearly 30 miles distant, 35 miles fur- 
ther reaches the Rio Mapimi, near which is located on the 
road the rancho San Lorenzo. Crossing the valley of the 
Mapimi, taking a southerly course, brings us to Cuencame, 
^ stretch of 40 miles. 

Cuencame is a busy little place, whose industry makes it 
flourishing. Large smelting furnaces are liere in operation 
for the smelting of the ores of silver which abound in the 
mountains. The furnaces are well built, of brick, on the 
English plan. The inhabitants are engaged at their differ- 
ent occupations in the most assiduous manner, quite differ- 
ent from most Mexican villagers. It is fifty leagues to 
Durango in a southwest direction. The first portion of the 
road is over a range of volcanic hills, and the latter is along 
-an elevated table land. It is easy for the traveler to come 
-from Eagle Pass, on the Rio Grande, to Cuencame by wagon, 
but to Durango from this place a good riding mule or sure- 
footed liorse is much better, and for the conveyance of bag- 



147 

gage pack uniraals will be necessary. Animals can be 
purchased cheaply at Cuencame, and those that are used to 
strons^, rocky ground, as the country there is very gravelly. 
The first twenty miles after leaving Cuencame are pretty 
rough traveling and. bring us to a stock-raising rancho, 
where plenty of mules are bred of a fine quality. Here 
water is elevated to the surface by a drum propelled by 
mule power. Twenty miles nortli of this place is a valley 
where cotton is raised, and where there are some factories 
at work manufacturing the "mauta," an unbleached cotton 
cloth much used by the Mexicans. It is a flourishing little 
place. From here the road leads over a valley covered 
with a growth of the vinasgas, whose fruit is much relished 
by the people of the country. The valley also affords fine 
grazing, but water and timber are very scarce. Twenty-five 
miles takes us to a fine prairie, at the lowest part of which 
is a deserted rancho called El Saucito, or "The Willow." 
A large willow tree shading a spring of cool, refreshing 
water gives the place its name. From EI Saucito to El 
Sanz is twelve miles, over a high country slightly timbered. 
El Sauz is in sight for ten miles before reaching it. This is 
a stock and grain rancho, as is also Laguna, twelve miles on 
the road, where a lake or lagoon is found. The next forty 
miles of road are over an undulating country. There are 
four miles of road in one place so stony that you are forced 
to dismount and lead your mule. It appears that a hail 
storm of stones had fallen on those four miles. Beyond this 
bad road are some water wells, but the water is brackish. A 
little further on is the haicenda of Los Ohonos, or the Wa- 
ter Spout, where water flows abundantly out of the ground. 
This is really a fine place, built of solid masonry and white- 
washed. There are large droves of sheep and mules on this 
rancho The residence of the " Amo," or owner, is a pretty 
piece of architecture, the colonades being in the Corinthian 
style and all else about it showing unusual refinement. The 
country around Los Chonos is thickly wooded with mesquit 
and the soil rich. One or two farms may be discovered in 
the clearings. From this place to Durango is thirty miles. 
Three leagues from Durango is the crossing of the Rio de 
Hautruipi, near which is situated a fine hacienda, hut it is 
not visible from the road. Between this one and Durango 
is a large haicenda, said to be one of the richest in the State. 
From here a fine road leads into Durango, which is seen at 
a distance from the plain. 



148 



El Paso del Norte. 

This town was named from the ford on the river and the 
pass between the mountains, and literally means the "pas- 
sage of the nor h." This is the oldest settlement in the 
northern part of Mexico. A mission was established here 
by El Padre Fi-ay Aui»:ustin E-uiz, one of the Franciscan 
monks, about 1585. The colony was composed of twelve 
families from Old Castile, under the leadersliip of Don Juan 
Onate. Several years after the first settlement the Spanish 
colonists of Kew Mexico were driven to this settlement, 
where they erected a fortification and maintained themselves 
until the arrival of reinforcements from Mexico. The pop- 
ulation of the place has not increased much since the year 
1848, as there were then 5,000 to 6,000 inhabitants — about 
the same number as now. The colony divided the lands 
bordering the banks of the river, into small plats of twenty 
acres each, and gave one to each family, on which they raised 
corn, potatoes, beans, and vegetables, and planted small 
vineyards and fruit trees; and the river was dammed up in 
dry seasons, about a mile above the ford, and water con- 
veyed l)y an aqueduct or main canal to irrigate the bottom 
lands. The whole settlement was intersected in every direc- 
tion with dikes. They manufactured the grapes into wine 
and brandy, or "aguadientc," the latter of which is much 
esteemed in Chihuahua and Durango. Under proper man- 
agement, wine-making here might become a very profitable 
branch of industry, for the soil is especially adapted for the 
vine, and the interior is supplied with French wines at an 
enormous price. Wine may be made of the El Paso grape, 
equal to the best growth of France or Spain. The river 
bottom is timbered with cottonwoods, where it is not culti- 
vated for a few hundred yards on each side of the stream. 

The town of El Paso del JNorte is located opposite the 
town of El Paso, Texas, on the American side, and runs 
down the river about three miles, and back one mile. The 
region is thickly settled for several miles further down, and 
back five miles from the river. There are a number of 
vineyards in a high state of cultivation. The town has two 
or three principal streets, on which most of the business is 
transacted. Ihe streets are narrow, irregular and dusty. 
The houses are built of adobe, and the windows are barred 
with iron gratings. The doors are fastened with wooden 
bars inside, and are clumsy aft'airs. Carts with large wheels, 
hewn from logs, are still used here — the same clumsy and 
heavy vehicles so often seen in Mexico. 



149 



This town, although presenting a somewhat unsightly ap- 
pearance to the visitor, is destined to be one of great im- 
portance, and will soon serve as the distributing point for 
the whole of north-western Mexico, including Sonora, Chi- 
huahua, Sinaloa, and Duraugo, on the completion of the rail- 
roads centering here. 

The Rio Grande River is a shallow, muddy, sluggish 
stream, and not over two or three feet deep at this point, 
during the dry season, but assumes large proportions in the 
wet season. The banks are low and sanely, and the course 
of the stream often changes, and, for this reason, the towns 
on its banks are mostly situated high up on its banks and 
on the neighboring plateaus or bluffs. The water in the 
river is very good for drinking aud cooking purposes, and 
not so impregnated with alkali as the well water in use by 
the inhabitants. 

The river, at this point, is small, but in the time of the 
rainy season it swells to six times its width in the dry sea- 
son. It isfordable in almost any part, but from the shifting 
bars and quicksands, the passage is always difficult for load- 
e i. wagons, and often very dangerous. The stream abounds 
in large fish of an excellent flavor, and large eels. During 
the rainy season the ford is crossed by a ferry-boat. The 
settlements extend down the river some distance, in little 
groups or towns, for some 15 miles, and are mostly inhab- 
ited by Mexicans, with here and there some few exceptions. 
Some enterprising Americans having planted vineyards, are 
carrying on a very good trade in wine and brandy with the 
interior. 

Mining Districts and Mines of Chihuahua. 

The principal miniug districts of Chihuahua are, the 
Ouadalupe y Calvo, Zapuri, Batopilas, Urique, Guazaparez, 
Jesus Maria, and Potrero, Morellos, Chinapa, Piuos Altos, 
Concepcion, Cusihurriachic, Magurichic, Hidalgo y Teno- 
rivo, t^an Francisco del Oro, and Hidalgo del Parral. 

The Guadalupe y Calvo mines, which are located in the 
southern part of the state, are mostly owned by a I^ew York 
company, who purchased them from an English company, 
who obtained vast profits from working them. The mines 
of this district obtained their great reputation from the 
immense wealth brought to their English owners. The 
Zapuri District is also very rich, and is owned by Becerra 
Hermanos. The mines of this district, which are now being 



150 

worked, are said to be the richest in the state of Chihuahua. 
The Batopilas District is mostly owned by several American 
companies and individuals, and is located in the south-west- 
ern part of the state, about 90 miles from Fuerte, in a 
north-east direction. 

The celebrated San Miguel mine is owned by the J3ato- 
pilas Consolidated Mining Company, of ISTew York, with 
other mines in this district. Mr. Shepard, of Washington 
City, owns the controlling interest of this company, which 
is amassing immense profits from their mines. 

The San Miguel, which is now yielding from $7,000 to 
$8,000 per day, is located near this point; and while work- 
ing the mine, they reached one of three veins that produced 
bonanzas of from 50 to 90 per cent, pure silver; the rich 
places being found sometimes in one ledge, then in another. 

The Santo Domingo, which is located on one side of the 
San Miguel, and is owned by Mr. Kirk, of Philadelphia, 
struck a bonanza upon the same ledge that was passed 
through by the San Miguel, without finding rich ore, 
though the latter mine struck a bonanza on the next vein 
beyond. 

The Nevada Tunnel Company's mine, owned by Becerra 
Hermanos & Co., was opened near the converging point of 
the difterent veins, expecting to strike it rich on the other 
side, to the right of the San Miguel mine; they reasoning 
that if the veins all converge at tliis point, which the angles 
of the ledges or veins indicate, they will find one solid bo- 
nanza of all the veins in one. If this is true, the result will 
be millions to the owners. These mines are all located in 
the Batopilas district, the veins of which produce virgin 
silver, with little or no alloy with copper or base metals. 
We were shown specimens of ore taken from these mines, 
and found them to be from 50 to 90 per cent of virgin silver. 
These specimens are to be seen at Mr. J. F. Schleiden's 
ofiice, of this city, who very kindly gave us valuable inform- 
ation in relation to the mines of Sinaloa, Chihuahua, and 
Durango. 

The Urique District contains many rich mines, and is 
owned by the Becerra Hermanos. 

The Chinipas District is on the road to the Guazaparez 
district, and possesses some ver}? good mines. The latter 
district contains some rich mines, and is entirely owned by 
Mexicans. 

The Jesus Maria District may be mentioned next, to 
which we have given special attention in the reports of 



151 



assayers and mining experts; the greater part of which 
information is found in the valuable book of Mr. Mowry, on 
Arizona and Sonora. The mines of this district are all 
owned by Mexicans, and are now worked to great advan- 
tage. 

The Pinos Altos District is mostly owned by English and 
American companies. , 

The district of Morelos is also, with the Pinos Altos, very 
rich in ores that yield marvelously. 

"We might add that the Batopilas district is completely 
surrounded with mountains containing milling ores. The 
silver is almost entirely native in this whole region. The 
celebrated Tajos mine is located in the Batopilas district, 
and is famous for its beautiful specimens of ores. This 
mine is also owned by the Bacerra Hermafios. There is 
another silver mine in Parral, that has a shaft 300 feet deep, 
that pays $175 per ton, according to the assay of Salazar,, 
assayist, of Tucson, Arizona. This mine is located in the 
southern part of Chihuahua, in the Sierra Madre range, in 
the vicinity of other silver mines. The vein, Mr. C. Orcilla, 
the owner, who is now in this city, says, is from 12 to 21 feet 
wide, and is located in the town of Parral, that has 6,000 in- 
habitants. The river, or Parral Creek, runs through the 
town. There is good grazing in the vicinity, and it is sur- 
rounded by cattle ranchos. It is in a region well settled. 
The mine is an old one, and the extent of possession is 600 
by 200 varas. The ore is milled near the same place by the 
primitive arastra. The ore is carried to the arastras on the 
backs of mules. The mine is for sale, and can be purchased 
of Mr. Orcilla. The El Minero Mexicano, of December 9th, 
says that the mines of Hidalgo del Parral might be explored 
by the expenditure of $500,000. 

Mines of Jesus Maria and San Jose Districts. 

" 1 he Nuestra Senora del Rayo mine, in the district of 
Jesu:- Maria, was discovered shortly after the discovery of 
the 1,/ine of Jesus Maria, from which the mining town de- 
rived its name, in the year 1823, and is situated in the west- 
ern lULjge of mountains of the creek of Jesus Maria, at one- 
and-a-half miles from the town. 

" The Rayo was discovered at the same time as the cele- 
brated Santa Juliana Mine, from which it is about 500 varas 
distant. Its first owners were Messrs. Tomas Suza and 
Tomas Rivera, who worked it successfully, with good re 



152 

Bults, in gold and silver. It was abandoned on tlie discovery 
of a bonanza in the Santa Juliana mine, of which they were 
part owners. This happened in 1826. It was afterwards 
worked by the Siquerio Bros, until it became filled with bad 
air, caused by careless management. The mine was after- 
wards almost ruined by gambucinos. Sr. J. C. Henriquez, 
in 1858, denounced it to restore it, which he subsequently 
did, and it is now being worked. 

The extent of possession of this mine is 700 varas verti- 
cally, the vein having an inclination of from 15 to 20 de- 
grees, and running east and west. A drift shaft 25 varas 
Jong and 5 wide has been opened, with firm walls, from 
whence two shafts have been sunk, leaving a pillar of 14 to 
15 varas between. A drift was run from them of large ex- 
tent. 

There is also a vein of auriferous, argentiferous quartz in 
the vein proper. It runs from 2 to 10 inches in thickness in 
four different veins, running parallel with each other. The 
ley of the ores was 24 ounces of auriferous silver per carga, 
or IGO ounces per ton. The intrinsic value of the silver of this 
mine, according to the statement of the government assayer 
©f the district was 11 d. 2 gr. silver, 100 gr. gold, realizing 
11 d. per marc at Jesus Maria prices. 

The ore discovered in widening the walls, when these 
auriferous veins were first discovered, contained more silver 
than gold, yielding at the rate of $1,500 silver to f 100 gold 
■per carga of 300 lbs. It afterwards changed into more gold, 
and yielded over $100,000 per ton. Later, this vein 
changed into its former state. More or less rich pockets are 
found at uncertain intervals. The ores are easily reduced 
under the common Spanish amalgamation process. This 
Kayo mine is situated near the top of a mountain range, 
from 300 to 500 varas above the creek. The entrance to 
the mine is on an almost perpendicular side of the mountain. 
Timber is abundant, and at three miles distant. It is hardly 
lialf a mile to the hacienda of Quintana. 

Santa Margarita is situated at the Rosario, about three 
miles distant from Jesus Maria, and was formerly owned by 
Messrs. Gutierrez, Guerrena& Co. The vein is steep, slant- 
ing from one-half to one vara wide, its gangue being lime- 
spattle with virgin gold of 960 m. ley per ton. The vein 
puns east to west 2 degrees, incline north ; extent of pos- 
session, 800 varas. The mine has filled with water, and has 
three shafts. The common ore always paid $72 per ton. 
The better class reached $25,961 per ton, and the best ore, 



153 



,680 per ton, with gold selling at Jesus Maria at $12 to 
^14 per ounce. The improvements on the mine are one 
stone building — a "malacate," or large horse-windlass. An 
outlay of $4,000 to $5,000 would put the mine in working 
condition, providing the malacate windlass was used. 

" San Jose. — The Rosario gold mine is adjoining the Santa 
Margarita mine, and is supposed to be the same vein. The 
vein is almost perpendicular, and from one-half to one vara 
in width. Several shafts and drifts have been run. The 
best and second-class ore has paid a similar ley as that of 
the Santa Margarita, while the common and inferior ley 
pays from $3 to $4 per carga, or from $20 to $25 per ton, 
while the heavy residue of the ground and worked ore pays 
six ounces to the arroba, of 25 lbs. "Zaroche" is the name 
for gold of low color, containing silver. On one OC' asion, a 
carga of 300 lbs realized $10,000, having reache'd a rich 
pocket. Extent of possession, 800 varas. This mine is now 
fall of water. 

"The Candelaria mine is situated about half a mile from 
the town of Jesus Maria. The vein runs almost perpendic- 
ular from one to two feet wide, The ore is hard, but docile 
under the amalgamation process. The lowest yield has never 
been less than $48 per arroba of 300 lbs— $320 to $3243 per 
ton as the highest. 

" The gold of this mine sells at Jesus Maria at $10 per 
ounce. The mine is on the top of a mountain range 400 
varas above the creek, and was full of rain water; extent of 
possession, 800 varas. 

" The San Rafael mine is distant three-quarters of a mile 
from Jesus Maria town. The vein is nearly perpendicular, 
direction south to north, inclination from 15^^ to 20° east, and 
is about one and a half feet wide, on an average. The gam- 
bucinos filled up the most of the shafts with rubbish and de- 
stroyed them. The balance of the shafts from the fiist drift 
are filled with water. The lowest ley has never been less 
than one marc to the cargo, the residue or "polvillos " pay- 
ing from two to three marcs silver per arroba, or about $110 
per ton. This silver is auriferous, and sells at Jesus Maria 
at $16 per marc; extent of possession, 800 varas. 

" The Hacienda Qaintanaisthe point established for the re- 
duction of the ores, and is situated in the center of the min- 
ing town Jesus Maria. It consists of three stamps and eight 
arastras, all the machinery of which is moved by an overshot 
wheel run by water. The hacienda reduces three and a half 
tons per 24 hours, and is fed by the creek Jesus Maria." 



154 

The principal mines of El Parral, situated at the city of 
Parral, are six in number, known as the Prieta, Mercaderas, 
Tajo, San Antonio, Leona and Ronquilla. These mines are 
famous in history and have a national reputation, havins: yield- 
ed over $60,000,000 in silver, and are with those of Batopi- 
las and Jesus Maria the most important in the state of Chi- 
huahua. The mines are located on a small mountain of the 
foot-hills of the Sierra Madre range called " Cerro la Cruz," 
which overlooks and is within walking distance of the city. 
The Prieta and Tajo mines have been extensively worked by 
the Spaniards and Mexicans. The workings in the former^ 
following the body of the ore, have left an immense hall or 
chamber, showing the amount of ore that has been extracted. 
The height of the chamber reaches 260 feet and width follow- 
ing the vein, extends from seven feet two inches to over 
twenty feet, and length from 150 to 200 feet. At the bottom 
the vein is from seven feet two inches to fifteen feet wide. 
At the extreme north end the ore as shown by assays made 
last year carried 67 ounces of silver to the ton, a few feet fur- 
ther south 82 ounces, in other parts 146 ounces, 77 ounces, 66 
ounces, 139 and 180 ounces. The Mercaderas mine is next to 
the Prieta, not being however connected with it. At the 
point where is situated the Mercaderas mine the same vein is 
narrower, but from this mine a very large quantity of silver 
was taken, very rich ore having been found. At the Tajo, 
however, the vein is wider than it is at the Prieta, having in 
the Tajo, and from there to the Ronquilla a width of from 
twentj'-five to sixty feet, the ore being quite as rich as that 
found in the Prieta. 

The above described property was bought by Hon. Joseph 
Knotts while U. S. Consul at the city of Chihuahua, from dif- 
ferent parties and consolidated by the company known as the 
Knotts Mexican Silver Mining Company of Chicago, A ten 
stamp mill has been erected with suitable storehouse buildings 
and all the necessary appurtenances in the shape of furnaces, 
pumps, etc. 

The city of Parral, which is called Hidalgo del Parral, is a 
place of about 10,000 inhabitants and is over 200 years old. 
It is as orderly and quiet as any city of its size in the United 
States and has a considerable trade in supplying mines in the 
vicinity. The foregoing report upon the mines of Parral is 
taken from a report of A. J. Howell on the consolidated 
mines of Parral. 

From a report on " Pastrana," in the Batopilas district, by 
Jno. 0. F. Randolph, M. E., we quote the following data : 



155 

"The diorite is the rock in which the productive silver 
veins in this locality are found. Extending from the north- 
east corner to the southwest corner of the belt, a distance of 
perhaps four and a half miles, there seems to be a bonanza 
line of white panina, on which all the great bonanza veins of 
Batopilas lie. No great bonanza veins have as yet been found 
outside of this line. 

The peculiarity of this district lies in its containing veins of 
calc spar in the diorite carrying native silver. This occur- 
rence is only known in one other locality in the world, while 
near the surface chlorides of silver, black silver and ruby sil- 
ver are found. The eventual ore has always been found to 
be native silver highly crystallized and often massive. This 
ore is richer and more cheaply and easily treated than any 
other ore of silver. In this district the cases are many in 
which veins have gone into bonanza over and over again, and 
this indeed is the usual experience witli bonanza veins. These 
veins do not bear one blossom and then stop bearing. This 
is notably the case with the Yeta Grande vein on the property 
whose history has been given (San Miguel of the Consolida- 
ted Batopilas S. M. Co.). This vein gave a bonanza netting in 
four years almost $3,000,000. Within eighty feet of this 
bonanza, a new bonanza was struck into last year which has 
already produced $200,000 to very slight efforts, and in the 
portion already developed contains upward of $400,000 more 
in place, waiting for the arrival of a mill to treat it. The rule 
with all the mines of this district has been that, although they 
mav carry chloride of silver on the surface, the eventual ore 
at a depth is native silver in all its grades of massive, Brossa, 
Cispeado, Clavo, and Azogue." — [J. C. F. R. in "Silver Mines 
of Batopilas.''] 

From same : "At the greatest depth as yet attained by any 
mine in the district, viz.: 200 feet below the level of the river 
and 900 feet below the actual surface, this native silver still 
remains the final ore, and that no other class of ore will be 
found is undoubted. The classes of ore of this district are 
different from anything else in the world: 1st, Massive sil- 
ver in pieces of iOO pounds and upwards ; 2d, Brossa silver, 
three-quarters silver and one-quarter calc spar, $20,000 per 
ton, and daily produced in the district; 3d, Cispeado silver, 
one-third silver and two-thirds calc spar, $10,000 per ton, and 
daily produced in paying quantities in the district ; 4th, Clavo 
silver, calc spar carrying isolated nails of silver, $500 to $5,000 
per ton ; 5th, Azogue, or amalgamating ore, with finely dis- 
seminated native silver, from $50 to $500 per ton, in large 



166 

quantities. The veins which have up to date (October, 1881) 
produced the principal bonanzas are the Pastrana, Carmen, 
San Antonio, Yeta Grande, Arbetrios, Roncesvalles, Camu- 
chin, Descubridora, San Antonio de las Tachos, Santa Teresa, 
Guadalupe and Trinidad. All these bonanza mines are found 
on a diagonal line running from the northeast corner to the 
southwest corner of the belt, and are embraced within an area 
of a few hundred feet in width and some four miles in length. 

The most convenient connection for supplies is from San 
Francisco to Mazatlan by steamer, thence by schooner to Agi- 
abampo, on the Gulf of California, and from thence to Batopi- 
las by pack train. Lines of stages make regular trips from 
El Paso and San Antonio to Chihuahua, and on the Pacific 
side from Mazatlan to El Fuerte. The cost of shipping silver 
from Batopilas to New York, including insurance "against 
every risk, is but 3|- per cent." 

"The Todos Santos Mining Company own two mines, the 
Todos Santos and Arbetrios. The first was denounced in 
1875 and a shaft was sunk to the depth of 150 feet with six 
levels, and which worked by Mexican processes yielded nearly 
$120,000. It is said a lump of silver ore which assayed over 
90 per cent, weighing 285 pounds, was taken from this mine. 
Another now in the company's office in New York weighs 
over 65 pounds, extracted in the early part of 1881, is estima- 
ted to be at least one-half silver in weight. The company 
now are driving a tunnel into the side of the mountain 150 
feet below the old works, to tap the vein. Tiie other mine, 
Arbetrios, is an old mine, that, according to the mining rec- 
ords of Batopilas district, in one year produced over $500,000." 
— [From prospectus of the Todos Santos Silver Mining Co.] 

Twelve miles east of Chihuahua, Mexico, is the marvelous 
Santa Eulalia silver mountain, from which $447,000,000 have 
been taken in times past. It is now in the hands of New 
York and Philadelphia capitalists. The El Paso Times has a 
description of the mine at present, from which we quote as 
follows: "A road has been built through a very deep arroyo 
leading to some of the old mines, while another one has been 
Bompleted thence to the hacienda, along which a ditch has 
been run, bringing up the water of the Chihuahua river to the 
works for reduction purposes. Another gigantic operation is 
the cutting of two tunnels, one of five miles in length and the 
Dther ten miles, which are to pierce the old mines. Even be- 
fore reaching any pockets, or leads proper, the ore taken out 
ilready is of sufficient value to pay the expenses of this colos- 
sal work as it progresses. Two hundred men are now em- 



157 

ployed, and when the hoisting works, stamp mills, etc., 
are completed, the former yield, fabulous as it may appear, 
will be easily surpassed. The records of the Tribunal of 
Mines and the Mint at Chihuahua, show that this mine, first 
opened in 1703, has yielded the enormous sum of $447,000,- 
000 in silver. But the church records of the Cathedral of 
Chihuahua would lead one to believe that even more Was ex- 
tracted. That cathedral was built by a tax on this mine ex- 
clusively. A sum equal to 7 cents on every marca ($8) of 
silver taken from the Santa Eulalia constituted the only build- 
ing fund for this cathedral ; and when it is borne in mind that 
this edifice cost not less than $900,000, as estimated by the 
ecclesiastical and civil ofiicials, $447,000,000 is a modest figure. 

In speaking of this region. Ward, in his work entitled 
"Mexico in 1827," says: ''^Near the surface of the earth all 
the lodes contain a' considerable quantity of gold. This 
diminishes as the workings increase in depth, while the pro- 
portion of silver augments." And of the Santa Eulalia: "To 
the north of El Pa'rral, and about five leagues to the south- 
east of the city of Chihuahua, is the ancient mining district of 
Santa Eulalia. It has been long abandoned, and the mines 
are in a ruinous condition. The ores were generally found 
in loose earth, filling immense caverns, of which some are 
stated to be suflaciently large to contain the cathedral of the 
City of Mexico ; but there can be little doubt of their magni- 
tude, since the last bonanza extracted from one of them con- 
tinued for nine years." "The ores of Santa Eulalia are 
generally mixed with a considerable quantity of galena, which 
renders them fit for smelting." 

Intending investors in mines in this country should only 
buy mines that, at least, have been partially explored and 
show metal. It is impossible for anyone to see into the 
ground, and no one is competent to state specifically the value 
of an undeveloped property. Good miners judge of the value 
of a mine by the amount of ore in sight, and from the indica- 
tions of vein, rock, etc., draw inferences as to the amount that 
is hidden. A vein is more likely to extend than to "peter 
out " suddenly from a good prospect. 

While there are many rich mines in Mexico one cannot be 
too careful in investing". As a case in point: A mining com- 
pany in San Francisco purchased an inaccessible mine which 
they could not reach with expensive machinery which they 
had purchased, and a 10 stamp mill now lies scattered along 
the sides of a mountain in Chihuahua, in a ruinous condition, 
and the property was totally abandoned after some 



158 

000 were expended iu the experiment. These mines are 
uudonbtedly good mines, but are inaccessible, and therefore 
will not pay the expenses of working them. 

Guadalupe y Calvo, in the Guadalupe y Calvo District, is 
the largest mine in the State of Chihuahua. It was leased 
in former years to an English company for a period of 20 
years, and supported a population of 10,000 people. This is 
a celebrated mine, on account of its producing immense 
fortunes for the English company. When the lease expired, 
the original owners, who are Mexicans, took possession, 
with all the improvements, and continued to work it. 
"While it was in possession of the English company, they 
secured the erection of a mint by the Mexican government, 
to save the expense of transportation. A 20-stamp mill was 
used to reduce the ore, and about 80 arastras. The latter 
were run by Mexicans on shares. The depth reached in 
the mine is about 900 feet. The width of the vein averages 
from 20 to 25 feet, and is well defined. The average assay 
was about 1200— the lowest, |40, and the highest, $2,000. 
The ore was free milling. The mine is located on the side 
of a mountain, 500 feet above the creek; but it is now 
abandoned, and the shafts and drifts are filled with water on 
the lower levels. 

The Carmen mine is located just beyond the border line 
of Sinaloa, in the State of Chihuahua, on the side of a mount- 
ain near the summit, in the main range of the Sierra 
Madre. The depth of the mine is about 300 feet or more; 
width of the vein about 5 feet. The average assay about 
$120 per ton, and the ore runs pretty even from $80 to $300 
per ton. It is owned by a Mexican. The ore is rebelhous, 
and contains but a small percentage of gold. The mine ia 
not a mile distant from the border, and about 25 miles from 
the town of Cosala in Sinaloa. 

The Pinos and Altos is worked by an English company, Mr. 
Hepburn is the principal owner. A 15-stamp mill is now re- 
ducing the ore and arrangements are being made for anoth- 
er 15 stamp mill. The depth attained is 800 feet. The 
average assay is about $100 per ton. This mine is situated 
on the top ofa mountain about 15 miles from Jesus Maria 
Northwest. Several shafts, crosscuts and tunnels have been 
run. The present owners have worked the mine for about 
three years. The mine was purchased from Mexicans. The 
ore produces a larger percentage of gold than silver. 



159 

The La Soledad has reached a dept of about 90 feet, and 
and width of the vein about 15 feet; average assay, about 
^100 per ton. This is developed by a shaft but a short dis- 
tance above the Arroyo, and about 20 feet from the bank of 
the stream. The mine eonsequently became filled with wa- 
ter and was abandoned. 

Santo Domilius mine is situated southwest of Jesus Maria, 
about five miles. The mine is developed by a shaft at the 
surface, and a tunnel at the foot of the mountain, tapping 
the vein. The principal owner is Jesus Solis. A ten-stamp 
mill is being erected to reduce the ore at the mine. A 
small five-stamp prospecting mill has hitherto been used. 
The tunnel reaches the heart of the vein and is over 1200 
feet in length. The ore is abundant and assays on an aver- 
age about $75 per ton. 

Good accounts continue to come from the Batopilas mines 
in Chihuahua. Ex-Govenor Shepherd writes that he has 
ready over $800,000 worth of ore, and that the mines are 
working now in "bonanza." A piece of ore, weighing 148 
pounds, and valued at $1,680 has been forwarded as a sam- 
ple of the mine's production. It is stated that the Batopilas 
mine, during its first year, without machinery, paid $160,000 
besides the sum ol $57,000 set apart for mills, and a balance 
of $180,000 retained in its treasury, Mr. Robinson, formerly 
of Durango, whom I met recently, fully confirms the reports 
of the richness of the Batopilas mines. 

The San Jose de Bravo mine is located 23 miles form 
Jesus Maria, in a southwest direction. This mine was first 
discovered and worked about thirty-two years ago, by Siga 
Devaley Y Lopez #Y Cia. Reliable information as to the 
history of the mine is difficult to obtain. It is reported that 
$700,000 were extracted from this mine in two years, while 
in bonanza. The population of Bravo at that time was 
about 1000. The owners of the mine squandered the pro- 
ceeds, and died in comparative poverty- The manner of 
working, was the usual Mexican style of extracting the rich 
ores only, and on the abandonment of the property, the 
gambucinos completed its ruin by extracting the pillars 
and thereby causing the destruction of the workings. The 
mine is now owned by Mr. Hepburn. 

The Pertenencia extends 2400 feet. Eighteen hundred 
N. N. E. of the mouth of the lower tunnels, and Six hundred 
feet in a S. S. W. direction. There are three parallel veins, 
named respectively; San Pranguilino, San Bonifacio and 
San Antonio. The first has an average width of 8 to 14 feet 



IGO 

of ore varying in richness. The second is completely cover- 
ed with the veins of the old workings, so that no exact re- 
port Ciin be had of it. The third vein is also in like manner 
covered. A tunnel 250 feet long, and two. or three shafts 
have been sunk. One of these shafts is called the San Fran- 
guilino, and the other the San Bonifacio. One of the work- 
ings was called the Dolores, and the other DulcesiSTombres. 
The first is about 200 feet above the Arroyo Bravo, and the 
second about 500 feet. The assay reaches from $20 to over 
$2,500 per ton. Abundance of wood and water are adja- 
cent. 

The La Soledad is about three milles due north of Je- 
sus Maria. The vein of this mine runs southwest and north- 
east, and dips southerly at an angle of 40°. The walls are 
more or less well defined, and are of porphyhy and green 
serpentine. An old mine, called the Jesus Maria mine ad- 
joins the Pertenencia, that carries a low grade ore in great 
abundance, assaying from $30 to $35 per ton. Tunnels and 
shiifts have been sunk on the vein of La Soledad, but they 
are filled with water, and mostly caved in. Mr. Theo. A. 
P. Brown who reported on this mine from which we obtain 
the data states in his opinion "that there exists still large 
quantities of ore, and of considerable value, there is not the 
slightest doubt . The tunnel of Soledad commences about 
15 feet above the Arroyo, It is run on the vein which is a- 
bout 6 feet wide, but pay ore is only found on the foot wall, 
and is about 12 inches wide throughout the upper works. 
At bottom of mine, now under water, the owner says the pay 
ore is a vara wide. I have made an average assay of 400 
cargas, equivalent to 60 tons, the result*, of which wag silver, 
$67 86; gold, $19 94; total, $87 80. Later assays by same 
report, showed as high as $196 from mouth of tunnel." 



DURAN^GO. 



CHAPTER I. 
Physical Features. "^ 

A. large proportion of the state of Durango is situated 
ujion the table-IaDds, and the capita], though sun-oundecl in 
most maps by mountains, lies in the midst of a vast plain, 
which, to the north-east, extends, wit-h few interruptions, as 
far as Chihuahua and Santa F^, in New Mexico. To the 
west, both north and south, the Sierra Madre extends, form- 
ing a barrier upon the Pacific side, and the hot low lands 
of tSinaloa occupy the space between the foot of the mount- 
ains and the Pacific Ocean. The state is bounded on the 
north and north-west by Chihuahua, and on the east by Co- 
ahuila, and on the south-east by Zacatecas, and on the south 
by Jalisco, and south-west by Sinaloa. It is completely sur- 
rounded by Mexican territory, and is not considered as one 
of the border states, though we have included it in our 
work on account of its location and important interests con- 
nected with those states on the frontier. 

The state of Durango is divided into 13 districts, as fol- 
lows: Durango, Nombre de Dios, Mesquital, Cuencame, 
Uzas, Mapime, San Juan de Guadalupe, San Juan del Rio; 
Indee, Papasquiero, El Oro, Tamasula, and San Dimas. The 
state has but few manufactures. Its riches consist almosfe 
entirely in mines and agricultural produce, which last is sa 
considerable that the lands already brought into cultivation 
are supposed to be sufficient for the support of a popula- 
tion five times as large as the State now contains. Conse-. 
quently, it has considerable trade with the surrounding re- 
gion. ^ 

The raising of stock is carried on extensively also; most 
of the estates, iDesides being devoted to agricultural products,. 
are also devoted to the raising of large herds of horned cat- 
tle, horses, mules, and sheep, of which last 150,000 are sent 
every year to the Mexican market. The Hacienda de la 
barca alone possesses a stock of 200,000 sheep and 40 G 
11 161 



162 

mules and horses. That of Raruas, which consists of 400 
"sitios" or sheep ranches, has 80,000 sheep, and the Guati- 
mape '^0,000 oxen and cows. The valley of Poanos, ahout 
45 miles from the capital east, contains nothing but corn 
lands. It is watered by a river which runs through the 
•center of the valley, and on this river are nine "haciendas de 
triego'' (corn estates) in immediate succession, which supply 
the capital with flour of the very best quality, at from $6 to- 
$8 per fanega. Sugar might be extensively raised in the 
valley of the Sierra Madre, where water abounds and cli- 
mate might also be selected at pleasure. Sugar is at pres- 
ent brought from the valley of Cuencame at a distance of 
250 leagues. It sells at an enormous price — $5 per arroba, 
and often at flO. Indigo and coftee might likewise be 
reckoned among the natural productions, as they are found 
wild in the barrancas or ravines of the Sierra. Sugar, we 
believe, is raised to a small extent in some of the valleys. 

Mr. Ruxton describes the ranchoj and haciendas as fol- 
lows: " The ranchos and haciendas in Durango and Chihua- 
hua are all inclosed by a high wall, flanked at the corners 
by circular bastions loop-holed for musketry. The entrance 
is by a large gate wliicli is closed at night, and on the azates 
or flat roof of the building a sentry is constantly posted day 
and night during Indian troubles. Round the corral are the 
dwellings of the peones, the casa grande or proprietor's 
house being generally at one end and occupying one or more 
sides of the square." He goes on to speak of large herds of 
cattle and horses to be found on the plains, but of one dis- 
trict he says: "From El Gallo to Mapimi a mule track leads 
the traveler through a most wild and broken countrj'^, per- 
fectly deserted, rugged sierras rising from the mesquife- 
covered plains, which are sterile and entirely destitute of 
water. This part of the country i-< far out of the beaten 
track from Durango to Chihuahua." Thus it is seen that 
sterile tracts are also to be found in this state. The whole 
of the state is mountainous and contains no rivers, except a 
few small streams. 







,4-f; vr>X '-" '-' /. 







1^ ^ 



ti ^ f 






^:!S d'fv ^-rf' i**. . -8 ?**f 









v 




r^-.a^ 



'V ^^i- 



' i. 



t 



,i. ' X 



^ JrV/' 






l.mMlliil..r 



' '1 



163 
CHAPTER n. , 
City of Durango. 

Of the City of Durango he says: " The City of Durango 
was founded by Velasco el Primero, and it may be consid- 
ered the ' ultima thule ' of the civilized portion of Mexico. 
Beyond it to the north and north-west stretch away the vast 
uncultivated and unpeopled plains of Chihuahua, the Bol- 
son de Mapimi, and the arid deserts of the Gila." The dis- 
tance to Mexico City is 650 miles from Durango, the capital 
of the state, which is situated 65 leagues north-west of Za- 
catecas. The population is 22,000. The state had, in 1876, 
185,000. Both the city of Victoria and most of the other 
towns of Durango — Tamasula, Siauori, Mapimi, San Dimas, 
Canelas, Cuencame — take their origin from the mines. 

The town of Victoria, or Durango, is situated in the plain 
heretofore mentioned, and is the principal town of the state. 
The streets are pretty regular, and the town contains a large 
plaza called the Plaza Mayor, one theater and other public 
buildings, which were built by Zambrano, a rich mine- 
owner, who is supposed to have extracted from his mines at 
San Dimas and Guarisamey, upwards of thirty millions of 
dollars. 

The capitol is located here, a mint, and the Casa del 
Apartado, (a place for the separation of gold from silver) a 
glass manufactory, a tannery, and a fabrica de tobacos. The 
police of the town is well organized, and robberies almost 
unknown. Legal proceedings are summary, the legisla- 
ture having passed a law which concludes legal proceedings 
in three days, in cases of robbery. 

Tobacco is produced, also, in the State, to some extent. 

There is muuh trade at this point, principally in bullion 
from the mines, and among the principal business firms 
may be mentioned, Julio Hildebrand Succesores, Door- 
man & Co., Giron, Stahlknecht & Co., Francisco Gurza & 
Co., Juambels Ilermanos, and Francisco Alvarez & Co. 

The towns of Villa del Nombre de Dios, San Juan del 
Rio, and Cinco Senores de!N'azas,are almost the only cities in 
the State connected with mines. The two first are sup- 
ported by an extensive trade in "vino mescal," (a sort of 
brandy distilled from the maguey or American aloe, some- 
times called the century plant, which requires from seven 
to ten years to develop. 

The last-named town is supported by the cotton planta- 



164 

tions situated upon the banks of the river Nazas. The 
alacran (or small scorpion) excepted, Durango is very 
pleasant, and the climate is delightful and healthy, and the 
people fairer and finer-looking than in any part of Mexico I 
have yet seen. 

Bath Houses of Darango. 

We are indebted to Dr. Benjamin of San Jose, for 
the following. "The hot springs located at the upper part 
of the city, furnish water for nearly the whole city. A stone 
aqueduct conducts the water through the centre of the prin- 
cipal streets. The stream is about three feet wide, by one 
and one-half feet deep. Near the source of this stream, are 
built a great many bath houses, all built of stone. The bath 
tubs are of masonry and a number of them are 32 by 12 
feet in diameter and 5 or 6 feet deep. The temperature of 
the water is about 80°. You can take a bath in the large 
rooms for twenty-five cents. There are a great many small 
rooms — prices, six to twelve cents. The population are very 
fond of bathing, and I do not wonder, when I remember how 
fine and clean are the bath tubs, and how pleasant is the 
temperature of the water." 

Prom Durango to Mazatlan. 

Further than Durango no wheeled vehicle can go, so we 
disposed of our ambulances, and took it mule back, paying 
at the rate of ^12 per mule for passenger and baggage. Four 
miles from Durango the wagon road gave out, and we took 
a path which wound up rugged clifi's until near camp. When 
we came to a mountain mesa. Our course lay to the west- 
ward, and for the first few miles, our road was good and we 
had a comprehensive view. In consequence of the dangers 
which beset the road, it is customary for travelers to ren- 
dezvous at Durango, and travel in large parties. We made 
a terrific descent to-day, at the bottom of which dashed a 
beautiful mountain stream, and up we climbed again to the 
top of another mountain. Our camp is among beautiful 
pines, and flocks of noisy parrots are flying over us, on their 
passage from tlie nut forests. Here is said to begin our dan- 
gerous road; near by are the skulls and bones of some mur- 
dered travelers, placed on a pile of stones. The road next 
morning is quite rough; in fact, a mere path, winding through 
dark woods, and over precepitous heights. These wild soli- 



165 

tudes are charming, the pine forming arches over head, the 
earth carpeted with green grass, and at short intervals cool 
springs of water. The days are warm, the night cool. On 
the tiext day we camped in a beautiful pine grove, on an era- 
inence, overlooking a pretty little vale. In the midst of the 
grove stands a high rude cross, said to mark the spot where 
the banished bishop of Durango performed mass. A grand 
temple, whose pillars are the forest-monarchs, and whose 
dome bhie Heaven. The next day our path passed through 
a beautiful mountain country of pine woods and gushing 
streams, our every step still beset with the melancholy sight 
of human skulls. Our next encampment, was in the bend 
of a beautiful bold mountain stream, — a desirable location 
for a settlement, soil good, building material abundant, and 
a, natural site for a mill. Shortly after leaving camp the 
next morning, the foot passengers and some of the horse-men 
separated from us, taking a nearer but rougher route to 
Mazatlan. 

The roads parted near the piloncillos, a collection of 
curious, cone-shaped rocks. Among the footmen were some 
mountain cargadores now carrying loads of apples. They 
carry their loads on their backs, keeping them in place 
by means of a strap across the foreheads. These men are 
employed to carry heavy machinery where it is impossible 
to use animals; they also carry the mails between Durango 
and Mazatlan, making the round trip in eight days, for which 
they are paid §15. They keep up a brisk trot all day, 
munching their tortillas as they run, pursuing their way over 
places impassable for even the sure-footed mule. They do 
not wear slices, but sandals orguaraches, as do also the mule- 
teers, mere!}' pieces of rawhide cut to fit the sole of the foot, 
and kept in place by thongs; these they prefer to shoes, their 
feet becoming very hardy, suffering neither from cold nor the 
gravel which is continually sifting between the sandals and 
their feet. We had traveled but four hours the next day 
before the order to halt was given. We have reached the 
jumping-otf place and must give the mules a good rest for 
the morning's arduous task. For the last five days we have 
been shut up in dark primeval forests, pursuing our rough 
path over heights and along ravines, but now we have 
reached the pinnacle to which we have been ascending ever 
since we left Durango, and in the morning will commence 
to descend. 



166 
A Grand Vie"W. 

By ascending a little eminence near camp, and walking 
a short distance through the woods, I came upon one of the 
grandest and most sublime displays of mountain scenery, I 
ever beheld. Standing on a rocky peak, I hung, as it were, 
over an abyss extending below me for thousands of feet — I 
may say for miles — I could see a stream, which resembled 
a silver thread, and farms along its bank; it seemed I could 
throw a stone so that it would fall within their peaceful 
premises; far below hung white clouds, and the blue ether 
seemed to envelop me, and on every hand, rose mountain 
peak on mountain peak, in awful sublimity. But, from my 
lofty perch, I could command them all, and far to the west- 
ward the mountains sank away and the sun's slanting rays 
reflected from the Pacific Ocean. From this place, although 
our destination is almost within the scope of our vision, it 
will take us seven days to reach it, and truly when I cast my 
eye over this rough vista, it seems the mountain barriers 
could never be passed. 

We began the next morning to descend from our lofty em- 
inence, and reached Duraznito about 2 o'clock P. M. Our 
road was a winding, terrific stairway of twelve miles; the 
glimpses of the grand and beautiful filled me with awe and 
ecstasy. We have changed climates in the course of a few 
hours. This morning we were shivering from cold, and now 
we seek the shade ot the fig tree and bless the soft wind. 
Peach trees are in bloom about us. This little place is situ- 
ated, as it were, on a shelf of the mountain, by which it is 
shadowed, and still beneath it lies a deep gorge or valley. 
We are now in one of the finest gold and silver-bearing re- 
gions in Mexico. 

A short distance from Duraznito, and at the foot of the 
mountain, we found ripe blackberries. Upon reaching the 
summit of the mountain we had a fine view. Far beneath 
us was Duraznito, the smoke of its humble, tile-roofed dom- 
icils ascending in spiral columns, and the deep valley still 
further down, and the grand mountains, that seemed like the 
giants of creation, basking in the rosy dawn. Here is cer- 
tainly mountain scenery unrivaled by any in the \vorld. 
The lakes of Switzerland would be but drops in the infinity 
of the natural grandeur about us. A narrow trail winds for 
the most part along the sides of immense mountains, which 
is just wide enough to admit our mules single file, with tre- 
mendous heights rising perpendicularly above us — an awful 



167 

gulf of space below us. One false step would cost a life. 
The sun was intensely hot whenever we were exposed to it, 
but for the most part we were protected by the shadow of 
the mountains, around and over which we were winding, 
looking, in comparison, like a procession of ants upon the 
dome of St. Peter's, Rome. This tiresome and perilous road 
was cheered by the sound of laughing* rivulets and there is 
something exquisitely pleasant about these mountain soli- 
tudes. We had traveled hardly an hour along a more fear- 
ful trail than ever, a portion of the road called Buenos Ay res, 
when one of the mules lost his footing and fell, bounding 
down the mountain side as an india rubber ball would down 
a flight of stairs, and dashing to pieces below. The train 
moved on as if nothing had happened, it not being an unu- 
sual occurence, and camped for the night upon a level 
eminence a short distance farther on. 

We broke camp early next morning, and commenced our 
day's travel bj^ ascending, as usual, and passing along more 
frightful cliffs — warily, from yesterday's accident. Passed 
Piedra Gorda, quite a rancho, beyond which we came in 
view of a mountain called El Pyramido, or The Pyramid, a 
magnificent freak of nature; the base is covered with dark 
woods, from which shoots up a shaft of solid bare stone, ta- 
pering gradually to the top. It is certainly grander than all 
the pyramids of Egypt combined. 

As we descended the climate became warmer, and instead 
of pines, we passed through groves of flowering trees and 
lemon trees bending with yellow fruit. By midda}^ we had 
reached the bottom of the gorge, or base, as it were, of the 
main range of the Sierra Madre, and on the banks of a stream 
running westward. Our road lay along this stream, crossing 
and recrossiug it several times; we camped at Agua Caliente. 
Before reaching camp we passed some mud huts and by El 
Favor, where an arastra, or atana, was in operation, working 
silver ore. It is sunset, and tiiousand? of parrots and flocks 
of biids of beautiful plumage are floating down from the ad- 
jace::t mountains to roost in the woods along the stream. 
We . 'carted early next morning, to take advantage of the 
cool of the day, to cross the El Espiuaso del Diablo, or 
"The Devil's Backbone" — (hereafter described) a fear- 
ful mountain ridge, and said to be the last of our 
very bad road, camping on the river at El Palmar. 
The next day our trail lay, for the most part, through dense 
tropical woods. Our attention was attracted by the strange 
varieties^ of trees, and especially the banyan, whose roots 



168 

spring from the upper branches, and trend down to the earth 
and then take root. Great numbers of parrots flocked 
through the woods, almost deafening us with their screams. 
Our party shot several, and we made a feast of parrot, which 
we found very palatable — in fact delicious. 

After a warm day's travel we arrived next day at Puerto 
San Marcos, our road pursuing the river all day. We camped 
at a miserable little rancho, one day's travel from Mazatlan, 
The weather was quite warm, but the trail was more tolera- 
ble, passing several ranchos and plantain groves, and fields 
enclosed with hedges of orgona cactus, planted like posts in 
the ground. On the next day we reached a broad wagon 
road, within a few miles of Mazatlan, and on an eminence 
near the city the sea broke upon our view. Just before en- 
tering the city we underwent the scrutiny of the Custorn- 
House officers. — From a traveler's report. 

The Devil's Baekljone. 

On the road Irom Durango to Mazatlan one of the grand- 
est scenes presented by nature is the ridge that juts out 
from one mountain to another, called " El Espinaso del Di- 
ablo." It seems that the surroundings suggested the not 
very euphonious connection with the anatomy of his Sa- 
tanic Majesty. The traveler cautiously picks his way 
over a road over this ridge with precipices falling 
almost perpendicularly for thousands of feet on either 
side. The trail is very narrow and over hard, smooth 
rocks that the storms of thousands of years have failed to 
wear away. It gives the traveler a sensation that he will 
never forget, as he looks upon either side into an abyss 
yawning at his very feet, and the sight is so fearful that he 
hastens over, shuddering at depths that make the stoutest 
fear to peer into. One traveler describes his feelings by 
saying that ho involuntarily closed his eyes to shut oflc' the 
fearful sight befcre him. Another says the precipices on 
either side are ' .iimense chasms or clefts in the mountains, 
which are so deep that you can hardly see the bottom if the 
attem[»t is made to peer into their depths. In every direc- 
tion high and lofty peaks extend as far as the eye can reach, 
hfting their rugged mountain tops with bare rocky summits 
heavenwards for hundreds of miles. This high ridge is re- 
ally the summit of one of .the mountains and presents the 
only route practicable for pack trains over the mountains. 
It is the highway that has been used for many years, in fact 



169 

ever since communication was opened in this direction be- 
tween Durango and Mazatlan. A former soldier in the 
Mexican army says that he was in a company that went 
over this ronte, and while crossing the ridge the soldiers 
were ordered to cross on a run. Singularly no accident oc- 
curred, though he said he shudders yet as he recalls his 
feelings while keeping his place in file with his comrades 
rushing behind him. 

The Short Route to Mazatlan. 

One of the early pioneers, who came to California at an 
early day by way of Durango and Mazatlan, describes a 
trip he made in taking the short route from Durango to 
Mazatlan. This same gentleman is one of the prominent 
citizens of Sacramento, and from his own lips we learned 
the following Says he : We had heard that there was a 
shorter route, and, being impatient, concluded to risk the 
trip. We had heard that it was a fearful ride and too 
dangerous for horses or even mules, and that none but car- 
gadores, or footmen, dared to undertake the trip, but we 
concluded that we could go anyvvhere a Mexican could, and 
so started upon the route, the narrator acting as leader. 
We found that the road was rough enough at the start, and 
that it led along a trail on the side of very precipitous 
mountains, so narrow that it was impossible to pass should 
any one be met on horseback. At last the trail seemed to 
dwindle to almost nothing upon the side of one of the 
steepest mountains; in fact a fearful precipice yawned at our 
very feet on one side, on the other and above us rose an al- 
most perpendicular wall. Just ahead a smooth, slanting 
rock jutted out with its slippery, polished surface inclin- 
ing into the abyss beneath us. I did not see it until I 
had passed around a jutting portion of the mountain, and 
my horse stood upon such a narrow ledge that I dare not 
dismount; I kuew that if I did that ray horse might topple 
over and we both be hurled to destruction, so I concluded I 
must take my chances and make my horse climb over that 
smooth surface tliat appeared almost certain deatii, although 
my hair stood on end, as my horse, a faithful and sure-footed 
animal picked his way carefully across. I arrived safely, but 
it was the most foolhardy act of my life. Fortunately my 
companions had not yet arrived at the narrowest point and 
I was enabled to warn them to dismount and lead their ani- 
mals across. He concluded by saying that he found after« 



170 

ward that a Mexican and his mule had tumbled off that 
same rock only a few days before. The balance of the road 
was the roughest we had ever traveled, in some places cov- 
ered with large boulders that it seemed almost impossible 
for a horse or even a mule to crossover them. We pubHsh 
this as a warning to the many travelers who might by mis- 
take undertake to travel over this same route, 

Rancho de Morteros. 

The greatest part of Durango is mountainous in the ex- 
treme. In but few instances throughout the whole of the 
State are ranches found that make any pretenses at agri- 
culture, the principal object being to supply the immediate 
wants of the owner of the property, and perha-ps a limited 
local trade. Cattle-raising and mining form the principal 
pursuit. The buildings are mostly of adobe. Among the 
exceptions to this rule may be mentioned the buildings upon 
the Rancho de Morteros. All of the improvements are of 
solid masonr}' and were built by one of the Spanish nobility 
long before the independence of Mexico drove its wealthy 
occupants from their possessions. This rancho is situated 
in the southern part of Durango, some twenty miles north 
of Nombre de Dios. The main buildings contain two 
stories and are built of solid freestone masonry, and form an 
immense square with eighty rooms, the largest of which 
are twenty feet square. The floor is inlaid with tiles of 
burnt clay, both on the upper and lower floors. The whole 
building has the appearance of a fortress or square castle 
with bastions on each corner loopholed for musketry. The 
only entrance is through a door of solid timbers four inches 
thick protected completely with nail heads, entirely cover- 
ering the outside. An inner square, or court, with no roof 
is in the center of the structure, with a porch bounding it on 
all sides, the roof of the porch being supported by solid 
stone pillars about one foot in diameter. This court admits 
the only light into the building through inner windows. The 
upper story is reached by a stone staircase from the lower 
floor. The ceiling is made of massive limbers, upon 
which are laid the tiles of the upper floor. The roof is 
covered witli tiles of the same material, and is flat with 
barely enough incline to drain the water from the roof. 
Adjoining this building is the church, also of solid masonry, 
with tower containing four bells. Stone acqneducts extend- 
ing for two miles conduct water from a spring to the haci- 



^ 171 

enda and also to a large mill built of the same durable ma- 
terial. The corral for the stock, and even the fences extend- 
ing for miles, are all built of stone. Six large granaries 
-20x100 feet each are constructed for the grain that is grown 
on this ranch. The grain patio or threshing floor is also of 
solid masonry. The huts of the peons surround this feudal 
castle who labor for their master in the fields surrounding. 
These large cornfields extend for miles and are cultivated in 
the primitive^Mexican fashion with immense returns to the 
owners. Dr. Benjamin Cory, of San Jose, while visiting 
Durango, stopped for some time at this rancho, and we are 
indebted to him for the above description. The Doctor was 
much pleased with his visit to this princely estate and rode 
over the laud wtth a view to its purchase for jaarties in San 
Jose. He describes it as the most desirable of any property 
he found in the State of Durango. 



Mines- of Durango. 

The gold mine of La Republicana is located on the side 
of a high mountain near Guadalupe. It is said to be a very 
valuable mine, as far as richness is concerned, but the vein 
is narrow and the rock of the greatest possible hardness. 
It is owned by the Yi'iarte family, who, unable to work it 
tor lack of capital, merely keep the mine worked just 
enough to hold possession. The mine might pay well, as 
one traveler reports its assays at abont 70 per cent. Five 
leagues southeast by south of Guadalupe is the old mine of 
E^piritos Santo, another mine of the Spanish times now 
under water. There are several other old mines in the vi- 
cinity ot Guadalupe, but they are so filled up with rubbish 
that it is difficult to speak of their richness with any cer- 
tainty, although fabulous stories lare told of some of them, 
which seem probable enough from the fact that Guadalupe 
stands in their midst, a proof of mineral wealth and success- 
ful mining. 

The Yaca San Marcus and Bismarck mines are described 
by Dr. Benja^nin Cory of San Jose, as follows . " These 
mines are located in the district of Parrillis, about sixty 
miles south of the city of Durango and about twelve miles 
from the town of Nornbre de Dios. In 1848 these mines 
yielded \n silver ore |700,000, according to a certificate 
which I have from the Superintendent of the Mint in Du- 
rango. The owners at that time were only 450 feet deep iu 



172 

the mine, but were forced to abaiicloi»the works on account 
of the quantity of water. Our company organized in Sac- 
ramento some three years ago have denounced the mine 
and have been in active prosecution of the work ever since 
the denouncement. We have steam hoisting-works and 
pump in operation, the first ever seen in the State of Du- 
rango. By the latest news our pump has lowered the wa- 
ter about 400 feet below the surface, and we expect to get 
into the old bonanza in a short time. We have but a few 
weeks since shipped from Sacramento a pump of large ca- 
pacity. We have at the mine an engineer, four California 
miners, a carpenter, a blacksmith and a number of Mexi- 
cans emploj'ed in and about the mine. Wood and timber, 
we find, is very cheaph^ and easily obtained. I had two 
assays made of the ore from our mines, one by the Profes- 
sor of Chemistvy in Santa Clara College, who reports his 
assay at $250.08 per ton and lead 43 per cent. Thomas 
Price, of San Francisco, assayed a piece for me, and he gives 
as a net result : silver, $325.02 per ton." 

Ur. B. Cory, from whom we obtained the foregoing, is one 
of the directors of the company, as he states, organized 
three years ago under the name of the " Yaca, San Marcus 
and Bismarck Mining Company," with Mr. Fred. Werner as 
President ; P. A. Grace, Secretary ; and E. E. Lyle, Lewis 
Goodwin, Geo. W. Chesley, Br. B. Cory and Fred. Werner 
as Directors. 

The Guarisamey mines are located north of the mines 
Guarisamey. " There are eight mines in this mineral dis- 
trict which are known as Serano, Copalaja, Enciuillas, Co- 
bres, La Gall era, Baragon, and several others, belonging to 
Mr. Frank McManus, an American resident of Chihuahua. 
These mines yield ore, the average of which gives $140 per 
ton. The last person who worked them regularly, Mr. San- 
chez, extracted yearly a profit of $78,000 in silver. His 
mode of working was in the old Mexican patio amalga^nat- 
ing manner — grinding his ores with the arastra. Still, with 
all the disadvantages attending the want of proper machin- 
ery he was, as can be seen from the figures above, enabled 
to realize a handsome yearly profit. Upon the advent of 
Maximihan he sided with the Imperiahsts and took flight 
to save his life, having sold his mines for a mere pittance. 
Some tin placers are also found in this State. 



■&l^^=- 




173 

The principal mining districts of Durango are : San Dimas, 
Gavilanes, Guarisamev, Tamasula, Canelas, Sianori, Topia, 
Picachos, Biramoa, Bajada, Papasquiera, Guanacevl, Indee El 
Oro, Cuencaind and Mapimi. The other mining districts 
given by Garcia Cubasare: Topia, Tominil, Corpus," Comitala, 
Durango, IS'oria, Avino and Coneto. 

The Mapimi mines have been worked for centuries, enrich- 
ing their owners for several generations. Originally these 
mines were worked largely by the Spaniards, until their ex- 
pulsion in 1829. Since that time they have been worked by 
the Mexicans until a few years ago, when they were pur- 
chased by Mr. A. B. Sawyer', and have since been worked by 
him with very gratifying results. The following statement 
of Mr. Sawyer we herewith present as his report upon the 
Mapimi mines, that have been consolidated by the Durango 
Mapimi Mining Company of Council Bluffs, incorporated at 
Council Bluffs, Iowa: 

There are eight separate mines consolidated and owned by 
this company, viz.: Ojuela, San Vicente, Socobon, Santa Rita, 
El Carmen, Santa Maria, La Soledad and San Judas. 

Ojuela mine is situated five (5) miles from the works, and is 
870 feet in depth, with a shaft 768 feet deep. It is a great deposit 
of lead carbonates from eight (8) to one hundred "(100) feet in 
width, and carries gold from $5.00 to $6.00, and silver from 
24 to 33 ounces, and lead 15 per cent, to the ton. 

San Yicente is similar ore, lying about 360 yards to the 
south. This mine is 675 feet deep, and carries from 15 ounces 
to 42 ounces in silver, and from $2.50 to $9.00 in gold. The 
ore body is from five (5) to fifty (50) feet wide. 

Socobon is situated two hundred yards south-east of Ojuela, 
and yields from fifteen (15) to twenty-eight (28) ounces in 
silver, and carries from $3.00 to $4.50 in gold, and runs from 
15 per cent, to 50 per cent, in lead. This mine has a tunnel 
150 feet long, and has a depth of about 825 feet. At the bot- 
tom of the shaft, on the Ojuela mine, at a small expense, this 
mine can be made to communicate by a "cross cut," and also 
with the San Vicente, working advantageously these three 
mines through this one shaft, saving two additional shafts. 

Santa Rita, one of the principal mines, is a continuation of 
the Socobon, and connected with it ; yields from twenty (20) 
to seventy (70) ounces of silver, and carries from $2.50 to 
$20.00 in gold to the ton. The ore body is from three (3) to" 
forty (40) feet wide, with a depth of from 300 to 450 feet. 

^ El Carmen is quartz and carbonate of lead ; new mine ; 
yields from 50 ounces to 140 ounces in silver, with an ore 



174 

body from two (2) to ten (10) feet wide. This mine has been 
worked to the depth of 75 feet, and is located six miles from 
the works. 

Santa Maria or Tecolotes is a new mine of quartz ore, 
worked to the depth of twenty-five (25) feet. It is situated 
in the main body of the Bufa Mountains, with an ore body 
from one (1) to four (4) feet wide. This mine has yielded 
very rich ore, as high as 1,000 ounces to the ton. However, 
as will be seen, but little work has been done so far on thia 
property. 

La Soledad and Las Arcos, one mine with two entrances, 
not communicating one with the other, is quartz ore, and 
yields from 24 to 120 ounces of silver per ton, and is from 
three (3) to eight (8) feet wide, and in some places twenty (20) 
feet wide, and is about 300 feet deep, lying to the south-east 
of the Santa Rita. 

San Judas is lead carbonates, ranging from 15 to 24 ounces 
per ton in silver. It is a great body of ore communicating 
with the Santa Hita. It carries gold from $2.00 to $4.50 per 
ton, and has been worked to the depth of 900 feet. 

The company in possession of the above property are 
making extensive preparations for the thorough working of 
their mines. They have purchased a large engine, two large 
boilers, two No. 5 Baker blowers, and three large smelting 
furnaces, with all the outfit, to be sent to their mines, which 
have cost the company about $50,000. This, with the smelters 
and works they already have at the mines, should make a 
handsome return from the investment. We have herein 
given illustrations of the works at these mines, that are among 
the most celebrated of Durango. "" 

" Guarisamey, the head of the surrounding district, owes its 
discovery to the lode of Tecolota, which crosses the high road 
to Cosala, in Sinaloa. The abundance and richness of its ores 
soon brought prospectors, who discovered the veins of Arana, 
Cinco Senores, Bolanos, Pisamide, Candelaria, Dolores, and 
Topia, with many others, every one of which was worked 
profitably. These lodes, or the most of them, were de- 
nounced by Zambrano, and all produced bonanzas, some of 
which were very rich. 

" The mine of Arana was remarkable for containing be- 
tween two small strips of rich ore, a cavity filled (like the 
bovedas of the mine in Zavala at Catorce) with a rich metal- 
liferous dust, composed almost entirely of gold and silver. It 
was also distinguished by many of those rich spots commonly 
called 'clavos,' which, although of small extent in a hori- 



175 

zontal position, were constant in perpendicular depth. The 
' clavos ' were worked to the depth of 180 varas, though the 
mine had no shaft ; and during the whole of this space, the 
most ordinary ores yielded from 10 to 15 marcs to the monton 
of fifteen quintals, while the richest are said to have produced 
from TO to 105."— [Ward on Mexico in 1827.] 

The tin mines of Durango have lately been opened by the 
Durango Tin Mining Co., a large amount of capital having 
been invested. It is stated that the Durango Tin Mining Co. 
is working some 75 men, and in March last began smelting. 
'No shipments of tin have yet been made, Mexican wagon 
freighters have offered to put the tin down at Laredo, Texas, 
for two and a half cents per pound, and a German firm has 
offered to deliver it to New York from the mines at four and 
a half cents per pound. The Mexican Central Railroad will 
reach the mines during the present year, and another, the 
Mexican National, at a later period. When these roads are 
completed the company can ship its tin by way of El Paso, 
Eagle Pass, or Laredo. Some specimens of the ore assay as 
high as 75 per cent, pure tin. 

Ikon Mines of Durango. — The Journal of Charcoal 
Iron Workers furnishes the following interesting account of 
the Piedra Azul (Blue Stone) Iron Works, situated on the 
banks of the Rio Tunal, some five miles south of Durango, 
Mexico. These works consist of a blast furnace, 35 x 8 inches; 
a heating furnace, a puddling fuinace, one train of rolls,*two 
sinking fires, one wooden helve hammer, and three smith 
fires. Power is obtained from a masonry dam across the Rio 
Tunal, giving a head and fall of 17 feet. There are four 
wheels — two over-shot, one under-shot and one turbine. 

The blast furnace is built of stone. The bottom of the cruci- 
ble is 24 inches square ; the top, which is 5 feet 6 inches higher, 
is 32 inches square. The bosh then slopes, at an angle of 55° 
from the vertical, to 96 inches diameter. The crucible and 
bosh are built of sandstone, brought by wagons 200 miles. 
The shaft of the furnace is constructed of a silica fire-brick, 
made from clay and crushed quartz. It runs nearly straight 
for the first ten feet above the bosh, and is then drawn in by 
curved lines to the open top, 32 inches in diameter. 

Blast is delivered cold from two 2^-inch open tuyeres, the 
air being supplied by two iron blast cylinders, 60 inches diam- 
eter and 5 fpet stroke, placed horizontally, and operated by an 
over-shot wheel. The charge is raised by hand winch, on an 
inclined plane, to the tunnel head, and consists of one buggy of 
oak charcoal, seven to ten "batteas" of ore, two batteas of a 



176 

rotten limestone, and one-half battea of clay. These batteas are 
wooden dishes, and each contains two arrovas (501bs,) of ore. 

The charge may, therefore, be considered at from 350 to 
500 lbs. of ore, 50 lbs. of limestone, 15 lbs. of clay to 20 
bushels of charcoal. 

The average daily product of the furnace is 60 quintals 
(6,000 lbs.) pig iron, the ore yielding 60 per cent, in the fur- 
nace, and requiring one and three-quarter quintals of charcoal 
to one of iron = to 175 bushels of 20 lbs. to one ton (2,000 
lbs.) of pig iron. 

Connected with the furnace plant there is a puddling fur- 
nace and a heating furnace, in both of which pine wood is used 
for fuel. There are also two sinking tires, in which pig iron 
and scrap can be converted into blooms. A short wooden 
helve trip hammer, raised by four cams on a wheel revolving 
at right angles to the hammer helve, is used for shingling the 
loupes and puddle balls. The cams strike the helve back of 
the hammer head, and a spring piece assists in intensifying 
the force of the blow. 

The smith tires use pine charcoal for fuel. The charcoal is 
made in the Sierra Madre Mountains in small heaps, by In- 
dians, and most of it is brought in upon the backs of burros. 
As these animals carry only 8 to 10 arrovas (200 to 250 lbs.), 
and in some instances can make but a trip to and from the 
iron works in three days, it is not surprising that oak charcoal 
sella at 12^ cents, and pine charcoal at 15 cents per arrova. 
Reduced to a bushel of 20 lbs., this would equal 10 cents per 
bushel for oak, and 12 cents for pine charcoal. 

The charcoal is of good quality, but much reduced in size 
by handling and transportation. The price of the charcoal 
could be considerably reduced if the iron works produced ita 
own fuel from wood more convenient to it. 

Besides the iron works before described, the Iron Mountain 
Compan}', of Durango, Mexico, was incorporated in New 
York, and now proposes to erect extensive works, consisting 
of a blast furnace, with capacity of 200 tons of iron per week, 
and a large foundry. This last-named company hold the title 
to the whole of this immense iron deposit, called the Iron 
Mountain, near Durango, with the exception of one seventy- 
third, which is held by the former company. 

Ward, in his work on Mexico, in 1821, says, in speaking of 
the iron mines of Durango : "Durango might in two years be 
rendered the depot of iron for Sombrerete, Zacatecas, Catoree, 
Batopilas, and all the mining districts south of Chihuahua 
[We might add, for the whole Republic], nor would the sue 



177 

cess of the iron mines already taken up at Encaruacion In- 
terfere with this prospect, as their market would be cour- 
fined to the central mining states, beyond which, from the 
difficulties of communication, their operations would hardly 
be extended." (Ward on "Mexico," in 1827.) 

This subject has attained more importance since the con- 
struction of railroads has been commenced throughout the 
Republic, and the cost of iron imported for rails is as fol- 
lows, taken from the "El Minero Mexicano'' of December 
9th, 1880: 

Per Tom. 

Steel rails in England. „ $28.00 

" UnUed States 31.00 

COST OF RAILS IN MEXICO. 

Price in England. . , 128.00 

Freight to Vera Cruz ' 9.00 

Landing 2. 00 

Freight to Mexico according to tariff 54.32 

Total. . 193.32 

COST OP RAILS IN SAN LUIS POTOSI. 

In England , .128.00 

Freight to Tampico 9.00 

Landing 4.00 

Freight to San Luis Potosi 60.00 

Total . , . . f 101.00 

Cost of rails in Kew York I3L00 

Freight to Tampico 15.00 

Landing 4.00 

Freight to San Luis Potosi „ , . . 60.00 

Total $110.00 

The El Minero Mexicano very naturally deduces from 
this that the rails had better be purchased in England, and 
imported to the ports of the republic, on account of the difier- 
ence in the price of the rails as well as the freight. But if 
the extensive iron mines of Durango were developed the 
rails could be manufactured in the republic at a less price 
than the}'- can be imported from either of the points men- 
tioned, since the rails could be transported over the table 

lands of Duranoro, south-east to Mexico, over a railroad now 
12 ° ' 



178 

being built on a highway that is comparatively level, that 
puts the state in direct communication with the City of 
Mexico and the numerous railroads that are being built from 
that poii.t throughout the republic. Then the rails could 
^Iso be transported north to the Southern Pacific or Texas 
raihvaj's and shipped to El Paso, and from thence to Guay- 
mas and Mazatlan, or to Chihuahua, to the railroad that is 
being built from that point to El Paso, and through a prac- 
tical)le pass in the mountains to Mazatlan, by way of Fuerte 
■and Culiacan, or to Alamos and Guaymas. A large propor- 
tion of the terri'ory of Durango, as we have seen, is situated 
upon the table lands, and the capital is in the midst of a 
vast plain, or rather in the south-western portion of the plain, 
that opens up a communication both to the north-east, and 
south-east to the points designated. On the west, however, 
and the south-west, the Sierra Madre extends, reaching the 
valleys and plains of Sinaloa by immense steppes or elevated 
plateaus, one above the other, which forms a barrier that 
is almost inaccessible, although a pass is reached on the 
north-west leading into Chihuahua, where the descent is 
more gradual, making communication practicable with Chi- 
huahua and Alamos, in Sonora, thence to Fuerte, and from 
thence to Culiacan and Mazatlan, and Cosala, a new wagon 
road having lately been built from Mazatlan to Cosala. The 
iron industry is a most important one to Mexico; and foreign 
capital, invested properly, would be of great value to the 
republic, as well as very remunerative to the owners. A 
ioundry could be built at the mines, and rails manufactured, 
and all kinds of mining machinery, and thus a vast trade 
could be opened. Says Mr. Ward: 

" Iron abounds within a quarter of a league of the gates 
of Durango. The Cerro de Mercado is entirely composed 
of iron ores, of two distinct qualities, (crystallized and mag- 
netic) but almost equally rich, as they both contain from 60 
to 75 per cent, of pure iron. Ihe operation of smelting 
these ores is attended with considerable difficulty. An iron 
foundry, lately set up upon the banks of the river, one 
league from Durango, has failed, from the want of knowl- 
edge of the proper mode of treating the ores. A hacienda 
has been built in a situation where there is both water for 
machinerj' and an abundant supply of timber and charcoal; 
but as the proprietors do not possess the means of construct- 
ing a road for carts, (although from the nature of the 
ground, it might be accomplished with a very inconsidera- 
ble outlay) the conveyance of the ores on mules to the 



179 

reduction works materially diminishes the profits of the 
speculation. With regard to the difficulty of working 
them, it might undoubtedly be overcome, as from the 
affinity of the iron of El Mercado to that of Dannemora, 
Swedish forgemeu woukl understand the nature of the proc- 
ess at once. 

Since the writing of Mr. Ward's book, the ore has been 
successfully treated, and manufactured into excellent mining 
tools, etc. 

Mr. Geo. Fl Ruxton, in his valuable work, entitled, 
"Adventures in Mexico and the Rocky Mountains," pub- 
lished ill 1848, says that " this enormous mass of malleable 
iron, as he terms it, is isolated on the plain, and is supposed 
to be an aerolite, and is, consequently, not connected with 
any ledge or bed of ore. lie also says its composition and 
physical character is identified with certain aerolites which 
fell in 1751, in Ilungary. It contains 75 per cent, of pure 
iron, according to the analysis of a Mexican chemist, and 
some specimens which Uumboldt procured were^ analyzed 
by the celebrated Klaproth, with about the same result." 

We obtain the following data from a valuable pamphlet 
pubhshed in Mexico in 1878, entitled, "El Cerro de Mer- 
cado de Durango por Federico Weidner," in which the 
writer compares very justly the difi'erence of the price of 
iron used in the foundry at Mazatlan with the price in En- 
gland and also at Durango, as follows: 

" At the port of Mazatlan, for example, in all iron of sec- 
ond fusion (pig iron) which is used in the establishment of 
Senor D. Joaquin liedo, as well as first material (or iron 
ore) the price per ton of 2,240 lbs. which is manufactured 
or melted in England, is as follows: 

First price of the invoice, per ton $15 to $25 

Freight by water, per ton 5 to 7 

Unloading and carriage by mules, per ton ... 5 
Custom house duties, at 30 cts. per hundred, 5 

Total ,., $36 

a little more or less per ton, or $1.60 per quintal. 

" In the place of English iron, if they want to use Du- 
rango iron, the cost at the foundry of Flores would be $3 to 
$4 per quintal, or $60 to $80 per ton. 

''Adding to this the freight between Mazatlan and Durango 
at $8.50 per quintal, or $80 per ton, with the purchase price 



180 

at Mazatlan, at $60 to $80 per ton, makes a total of $156 per 
ton, more or less, or $7 per quintal." 

The iron of Mazatlan, at $6 to $10 per quintal, when cast 
by the piece, costs $12 to $16 for complicated work; but 
when half-finished or plain, it costs $8 per quintal, or $180 
per ton; so that in Durau^o, the minimum price is $15 per 
quintal, or $330 per ton. Adding to this the freight to 
Mazatlan, makes the minimum price for finished iron $20 
per quintal, or $448 per ton." 

This is sufficient argument, we take it, for the establish- 
ment of a foundry at Durango alongside of the Cerro de 
Mercado, or mountain of iron, in the immediate vicinity. 
The author goes on to show that since the first cost in En- 
gland is $20 per ton while it can be procured in their neigh- 
borhood for $4 to $6 in ore, and carriage to a foundry erect- 
ed woukl not make it more than $5 to $7. He also men- 
tions the existence of furnaces, retorts, and other apparatus 
which were abandoned by various parties np to 1856, ou 
account of their being unable to successfully reduce the 
ore, and points out the fact that the ore of the Cerro de 
Mercado can be successfully treated and manufactured at a 
very great profit. lie also pubhshes a scientific examina- 
tion of the ore and the surrounding locality, its extent and 
analysis, which we condense below. He goes on to explode 
an error that exists on the part of travelers and scientific 
men that this immense mass of iron is an aerolite, and pub- 
lishes in the pamphlet the geological structure or formation 
around and underneath it, and pronounces the aerolite the- 
ory a cabal on the Cerro de Mercado, and further that it is 
of volcanic origin; and points out the fact that the iron 
mines of England have produced 15,000,000 of quintids an- 
nually for the last 330 years, amounting to $9,900,000,000, 
or more than seven times the amount of gold and silver 
coined from all the mines of Mexico fiom 1690 to 1803. 
He says the Cerro de Mercado is 1,750 varas in length from 
east to west, and 400 varas in width, and the height from 
the surface of the plain of San Antoiio 234 varas, which 
cuts it, as it were, in the middle horizontally, and the re- 
sulting estimate in cubic measurement is 60,000,000 cubic 
varas, and by analysis of the contents or percentage of pure 
iron it contains, estimates the amount of ore in the whole 
mass at more than 5,000,000,000 of quintals, from which he 
calculates that, taking the percentage of pure iron to be 50 
per cent., although it assays 75 per cent., the whole mass 
will then produce 2,500,000,000 quintals of metalUc or pure 



181 

iron, and, estimating its value at $5 per quintal, it would 
represent not less than the enormous sum of $12,500,000,- 
'000, or more than three times all the products of the mines 
of Mexico since 1772 to 1880, which we have estimated to 
be about $4,000,000,000. 

Further, in order to fully comprehend the immense amount 
of iron in this solid mass, by calculating the amount produced 
in England at fifteen millions of quintals annually for the 
last 330 years, the whole amount produced is 4,950 millions 
of quintals, or only a little over one-third of the amount of 
pure iron contained in the Cerro de Mercado, which has 
been aptly termed a mountain of iron, and lies almost un- 
touched, while the same metal now so much in demand 
within the boundaries of the republic, is imported from 
England, as we have already shown ; the difference in freight, 
as well as first cost, giving the trade to England 

Curious Caves of Durango. 

From Cosala, in Sinaloa, to the foot of the mountains, 
a distance of five leagues due east, Santa Ana, a small 
rancho, is situated, and near it are some mines of silver and 
magistral. The road here enters a canon, and the traveler 
soon gets enveloped in the mountains, which rise almost per- 
j)endicular]y. Strata of porphyry, granite, limestone and 
alabaster are found on each side. 

A small stream runs along the bottom of the canon, and 
leads up to the table-land, which soon commences. On the 
boundaries of Durango, immense herds of cattle are seen 
grazing on the plains, mingling with elk and the fallow 
deer, and bhick-tailed deer; the latter, however, frequents 
mostly the inaccessible mountains. 

The celebrated caves of the state are located 30 leagues 
from San Antonio, and 16 leagues from Cosala, or about 48 
miles. The caves are situated in a small circular valley or 
basin 100 yards in diameter. The road Hes down the 
canon, 14 leagues below, to this basin. 

The caves are called Las Cuevas de San Miguel. The 
largest is called San Miguel, and is 240 feet in length and 
80 feet high, and 150 feet wide, forming a large room. 
The roof is a regular arch in formation or curvature. In the 
back wall, opposite the entrance, are found openings of dif- 
erent sizes. One of them was penetrated by a traveler, who 
describes them in a book entitled, "The Forth-western Part 
of Mexico." He says, he penetrated 130 feet, and found 
intricate windings and subdivisions or openings on each side. 



182 

The origin of the caves ia unknown, but it ia supposed that 
they were inhabited by the aborigines or ancient Aztecs, 
They have never been completely explored, as near as we 
can ascertain, and the attention of antiquarians is called to 
them, as relics of the former inhabitants might be found. 
From the caves, the distance to Plomosas is 40 leagues, and 
to the city of Durango, 40. 

Coahuila. 

The state of Coahuila is divided into five districts: Sal- 
tillo, Parras, Viezca, Monclova and Rio Grande. The state 
is e^^tremely mountainous,, and the vast plains called the 
Bolsonde Mapimi extend throughout the western portion, a 
deserted region covered with sands and alkali. The princi- 
pal mountains in the north are El Pico Etereo, La Sierra del 
Carmen, and Loraerios de Peyotes. In the center, the 
Sierra of Santa Rosalia, San Marcos, La Fragua, La Paila, 
Sierra Azul, Coahuila, Chiflon, Angostura, and Sierra 
Madre. Saltillo is the capital, with 8,000 inhabitants. 

The whole state is very sparsely settled, and, as yet, is al- 
most entirely undeveloped, on account of its lack of suffi- 
cient water and the constant incursions of the Apaches upon 
the settlements. 

The principal productions of the state are stock, and agri- 
cultural products, such as grapes and fruits of various kinds. 
Some mines are also worked. 

Nuevo Leon. 

The state of iTew Leon is bounded on the north and north- 
east by Tamaulipas, and on the west, north, and south bj'' Coa- 
huila, and on the west and south by San Luis Potosi. Li the 
western part, the state is traversed by the Sierra Mount- 
ains, extending from north to south, and in the north-east it 
is occupied by extensive table lands broken by mountain 
peaks extending from the base of the mountains toward the 
north-eastern border where the table lauds break into 
canons traversed by arroyos. From the center of the state 
to the eastern border an extensive plain stretches from the 
base of the mountains. This extensive valley or plain is 
traversed by the river San Juan, which rises in the mount- 
ains in the western part of the state and passes Monterey, 
the capital, which is situated on its banks, and flows in a 
north-easterly direction across the border into Tamaulipas 



183 

and then into the Rio Grande. This is the only river in 
the state, and its main branches are the Pesquiera and the 
Kio Pilon. 

The valley of the San Juan is very fertile on the river 
bottoms and produces the usual tropical productions. Stock- 
raising and agriculture constitute the principal tradeiof the 
state. The capital (Monterey) has about 13,500 inhabit- 
ants, and the state is divided into 44 municipalities, with a 
population of about 200,000. 

Tamaulipas. 

The . state of Tamaulipas consists of the extreme north- 
eastern portion of Mexico, and is divided into four districts 
— namely, Del Norte, Del Centre, Del Sur, and Cuarto Dis- 
trito. The principal ports are Matamoras, on the bank of 
the Rio Bravo or Rio Grande, near its mouth; Tanipico, on 
the Tampico, Soto la Marina. Victoria is the capital of the 
state; inhabitants, 6,000. The south-eastern po tion of this 
state is broken with the spurs of the Sierra Madre, while 
the northern and north-eastern portion is covered with 
plains. It is bounded on the north-east by the Rio Grande 
River and Texas opposite, and on the east by the Gulf of 
Mexico, and south by Vera Cruz and San Luis Potosi, on 
the west by Kew Leon. A small strip of the state extends 
along the Rio Grande on the north-west. 

The town of New Loredo is the proposed northern termi- 
nus of the Mexican Central Railroad, and is situated in the 
narrow strip of the state before mentioned, in the extreme 
north-western part of the state. The city of Matamoras and 
Tampico are its principal sea-ports, and the chief business 
of the state is stock-raising and some agricultural produc- 
tions. Matamoras is located on the Rio Grande about 20 
miles from the mouth of the river, and Tampico is located 
at the extreme south-eastern portion of the state, on the 
Ban; I de Tampico. 

Arts and Manufactures. 

To fully comprehend the progress made by Mexico in arts 
and manufactures, we ajDpend the following information from 
the work of the learned and able writer, Antonio Garcia 
Cubas, published in Mexico, in 1876, from wliich we have 
obtained most of our information concerning the resources 
of Mexico. The following statements of facts will open tlio 



184 

eyes of many who think the people of Mexico a barbarous 
and balf-civ.ilized people; and it may as well be stated here, 
that although rude implements of agriculture and mining 
are found to some extent in portions of the republic, yet vast 
improvements have been going on, as the following from the 
pen of Cubas will verify. The work has been translated by 
Mr. George Henderson, of Mexico: 

'■' Carved work and filigree work in gold and silver yield 
in little or nothing to similar productions from abroad. The 
carriages and household furniture made in Mexico, with the 
exception of silkstufts, can compare in taste and solid work- 
manship with the best that can be imported from foreign 
countries. 

'■' In the fine arts, both in painting, as well as sculpture 
and architecture, our Academy of San Carlos, reported by 
travelers to be the first in America, displays the progress 
they have acquired. Some of their works will be exhibited 
to the public at the Philadelphia Exposition. The fabrica- 
tion of texturas, as well as other manufactures, has increased 
astonishingly. Several factories, sugar-mills, and distiller- 
ies, are established in the states of Mexico, Pueblo, Vera Cruz, 
Jalisco, Morelos, Guerrero, Tobasco, Oaxaca, and Yucatan. 

^' Earthenware is made in Guanajuato, Mexico, and Pueblo 
in the state of Jalisco; and in the valley of Mexico there 
are various paper mills; also, some glass factories in Mexico 
and Pueblo; also, (at Durango) cotton factories in the 
greater part of the states; silk factories in Guanajuato, 
Queretaro, and Mexico. The number of cotton factories in 
the republic exceeds seventy. The states that may be con- 
sidered as manufacturing districts, being those of Pueblo, 
Jalisco, Queretaro, Mexico, and Vera Cruz." 

This number of factories existed in 1875, and, since that 
time, many others have been built in Sinaloa, Sonora, and 
other states. Also, flour-mills, glass and paper factories 
bave since sprung up, and we only give the data in regard 
to flour-mills of the state of Sonora, obtained from Mr. 
David B. Blair, acquired by him through Mr. Ortiz, of this 
city. '' 

Total number of flour-mills on the line of the Sonora R. R., 
31. There are, besides, many small mills that manufacture 
flour for local consumption. The total amount of tons of 
flour produced is 9,100 tons, from the various haciendas in 
Sonora. Besides this, the production of numberless other 
wheat-producing regions never reaches the port of Guay- 
mas. 



185 
Imports and Exports. 

The Mexican government maintains mercantile relations 
with England, France, the United States of America, 
Germany, Spain, and the Island of Cuba, Belgium, Italy, 
Central America, the United States of Colombia, and the 
Equator. 

According to the Annual Reports, the value of the im- 
portations may be estimated at 29,000,000 of dollars, as fol- 
lows: 

For ISVS. 

Cotton and cotton goods $10,500,000 

Oroceries, wines and spirits. . .- 5,000,000 

Articles free of duty ...._,„. 3,300,000 

Hardware and ironmongery 2,100,000 

Miscellaneous 2,000,000 

Linen and hemp goods. 1,400,000 

Woolen goods 1,400,000 

Mixed goods 1,400,000 

Silks 1,000,000 

Earthenware, glass and crystal ware 600,000 

Drugs and chemicals 300,000 



TotaL $29,000,000 

This amount was imported from the following countries: 

For 1875. 

England $10,200,000 

United States of America * 7,500,000 

France 4,780,000 

Germany 3,800,000 

Spain and the Island of Cuba . . 1,400,000 

United Kates of Colombia . , . 1,200,000 

Central America 100,000 

Italy, Belgium, and American Republics 20,000 



Total $29,000,000 

The exportations amounted to 32,300,000 of dollars, as 
follows: 

For 1875. 

Gold and siver coin $24,000,000 

Ores and minerals 1,800,000 

Hides and skins in general 1,800,000 

Henequen, Ixtle and cordage 1,000,000 



186 

Timber and dye woods $1,000,000 

Coffee 600,000 

Vanilla 400,000 

Cochineal 300,000 

Cattle .-...,„. 200,000 

Tobacco 150,000 

Orchilla 130,000 

Fine pearls , . . „ 110,000 

Caoutchouc or Indian Rubber 100,000 

Sarsaparilla 90, 000 

Wool 90,000 

Sole and upper leather 80,000 

Indigo , 80,000 

Jalap root , o o » 80,000 

"Coquita," small cocoanut ....,,, o 50,000 

Frij'jles (beans) „ 40,000 

Cotton 80,000 

Mother of pearl 25,000 

Starch 25,000 

Wheat 20,000 

Other agricultural and industrial productions. . . . 100,000 



Total $32,300,000 

These exports are made to the following countries: 

Fur 1875. 

England, to the amount of $12,600,000 

United States of America 12,000,000 

France 5,000,000 

Germany 1,500,000 

Spain, and the Island of Cuba 800,000 

Central America 150,000 

Italy aud Belgium 50,000 



$32,000,000. 
The balance goes to other countries 300,000 



Total $32,300,000 

[The above estimates we obtain from the valuable work 
of Antonio Garcia Cubas entitled "The Republic of Mexico," 
published in 1876 in the city of Mexico.] 

Thus we see by a comparison of the tables that England 
imports nearly $300,000 more than the United States of 
America, and that only about one-quarter of the entire im- 



187 

ports of Mexico come from the United States, while Eng- 
land, in her little island from her warehouses at Liverpool 
and London, imports nearly one-third of the entire trade, 
and Germany imports less than either the United States or 
England. 

Of the exports, England still commands $500,000 more 
than the United States, though they are nearly eqi^al, each 
absorbing over one-third of the entire trade. The balance 
of trade we also see is in favor of Mexico, the exports being 
in excess of the imports some $3,000,000. The lesson of this 
table we leave with our readers. It is plain to be seen that 
with a little effort the United States may take the lead and 
eventually supply the most of this trade, or by establishing 
warehouses in the manner stated elsewhere, command event- 
ually the greater proportion of the $30,000,000 or $40,000,- 
000 imports annual trade of Mexico. This trade, however, 
we thus see in its infancy, and as it increases it would prove 
of rich profit to our ports 

Through the Mexican Consul we have obtained the fol- 
lowing data from the " Memoria de Hacienda y Credito Pub- 
lico," dated January 12, 1879, and issued as a public docu- 
ment at the City of Mexico: " The exportations for the year 
1877 to 1878 reaches the -amount, according to the balances 
respectively, of $28,777,508.07 (^o. 5, Part IV). The le- 
gal importations of merchandise for the year 1877-78, may 
be estimated at the value of $21,462,621. Probably during 
the present economical year (1879) there will be less im- 
portations of foreign merchandise. It is calculated that 
more in value (about $4,000,000) are exported annually than 
imported by foreign merchants. In the past few years it 
has been notable that emigration to the capital has increased 
in Mexico and diminished the production of former years." 
From the same work we gather that Mexico is now supply- 
ing her own trade to a considerable amount by homo man- 
ufactures, which has not failed to reduce the foreign trade. 
The same report says the falling off has been caused by the 
general effects of revolutions, and calculates the falling oft' 
from 1867 to 1877 at about $12,000,000. The work was 
printed in 1878, and consequently the last two years' report 
has not yet reached the public, but from the large importa- 
tions ot railroad accouterments which are now being shipped 
principally from England and Hamburg, with the brisk re- 
opening of her mines, will undoubtedly bring her commerce 
of the present year up to in the neighborhood of former 
years, if it does not exceed them. One notable fact ap- 



188 

peairi, however, that the balance of trade is undoubtedly in 
favor of Mexico, as she claims, of about $-l:,000,000, as a lib- 
era] estimate. The amount of smuggling will nearly balance 
the imports and exports either way'of that class, but calculat- 
ing even that the smuggling of imports vastly exceeds the ex- 
ports unlawfully shipped and transported from her borders, 
yet it cannot exceed it more than the allowance made of 
about 13,000,000; hence, in any event, it is apparent that 
Mexico is not being impoverished, but is gaining continually 
against the commerce of other nations. 

From the "Hacienda y Credito Publico" of January 
12th, 1879, we also obtain the following interesting data: 
From 1871 to 1875, the exports to England from Mexico 
in various goods was $768,411. b7; in metals, $7,612,788.57; 
and other merchandise, $838,637.96. Total, $9,219,873.40. 
The same to United States: various goods, $3,476,774.53; 
in metals, $6,696,538.55; other merchandise, $184,854.82. 
Total, $10,358,167.80. Total amount of exports in that 
year was $27,318,788, of which the United States received 
$1,138,294.40 more than England, and over one-third of all 
the exports of Mexico. The imports from New York City 
alone in three years and six months amounted to $3,158,- 
216.48. 

The "Boletin de Sociedad Agricola Mexicana," of De- 
cember 11th, 1880, an official paper, published in Mexico, 
calculates the amount of exportations for the year 1880, in 
round numbers, at about $35,000,000, of which amount the 
same paper credits the productions of the mines at about 
$30,000,000 — an increased activity having taken place dur- 
ing the last year — and the balance, or about $5,000,000, is 
the value of the other productions exported. 

The vast amount of material being imported for the con- 
struction of railroads makes it almosc impossible to reach a 
calculation of the probable amount of imports, until all the 
official reports are returned to the general government, and 
given to the public, for the past year. 

These data are sufficient to encourage our merchants to 
make an effort to secure this valuable trade, which may be 
increased almost indefinitely on the development of the vast 
resources of Mexico. 



189 

How to Reach the IN'orthern Part of Mexico. 

The Americans as a general thing, know but little of the 
northern part of Mexico, and still less how the traveler, for 
pleasure or business, can best visit there. There are various 
routes that can be traveled, occupying more or less time, and 
accompanied with greater or less risk. 

First, the route from the east by way of Yera Cruz to the 
City of Mexico, and thence by stage or diligence to San Luis 
Potosi and Zacatecas ; from thence to the city of Durango ; 
from Durango the traveler can proceed to Mazatlan on the 
Pacific or the city of Chihuahua. From either of these places 
he can visit in detail or at his leisure the whole length and 
breadth of the Sierra Madre and Sierra Caliente or Hot Coun- 
try. The old route by stage from San Antonio to El Paso is 
no longer necessary, since the traveler can reach El Paso by 
the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe railroad, or by the 
Texas and Missouri Pacific and Iron Mountain R. K. The 
completion of the Mexican Central to the city of Chihuahua 
and from thence to Durango will also be an improvement upon 
the stage traveling over the same route. From Durango the 
stage may be taken to Zacatecas, via Nombre de Dios, Som- 
brerete and Fresnillo. From Zacatecas connection by stage 
may be made for San Luis, and from thence to Mexico City 
or to Tampico on the Gulf. Or stage may be taken from 
Zacatecas to Lagos and from thence to Guadalajara. In fact 
from^ the principal cities over the whole Republic stage com- 
munication may be found. 

While it is not desirable to travel over the hot lands of the 
Gulf during the sickly season, yet if the traveler desires he 
may start from Brownsville, Texas, and travel by stage by way 
of Matamoras, Camargo, Mier, Monterey, Saltil'lo, through to 
Mexico City, or to Zacatecas, and from thence to Durango, 
Chihuahua and El Paso. 

For the northwestern part of the Republic, some travelers 
prefer to take the steamer from San Francisco to Mazatlan or 
Guaymas. This steamer leaves San Francisco for the afore- 
said Mexican ports, touching at Cape St. Lucas and La 
Paz in Lower California, Mazatlan and Guaymas in Sinaloa 
and Sonora. From Mazatlan the voyager can find convey- 
ances to any part of Sinaloa, Sonora, Durango, or Chihua- 
hua. Besides the stage routes before mentioned we might 
add that the traveler can go from San Antonio, Texas, by 
rail to El Paso, and from thence to Chihuahua, Alamos and 
Mazatlan, the fare from Alamos over this route to the city of 



190 

Mazatlan being §40 for tbe trip of five clays, with one day 
besides at Cnliacan. The price of meals ranges from 75 
cents to §1 besides the fare by stage, and lodgings f2 in- 
cluding bed and breakfast. Prices are naturally hi:gh with 
the advent of increase in travel. The completion of the 
coimection between the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe 
route and the Southern Pacific Railroad now opens a route in 
that direction, doing away with the necessity of stage from 
San Antonio to El Paso. There are three principal routes, 
one by El Paso by stage, one by Tucson to Guaymas and 
from thence to the various points, and the other is by taking 
the steamer at San Francisco for the various ports on the sea 
coast. On the eastern coast of Mexico the principal route is 
by steamer to Vera Cruz and rail to Mexico City and from 
thence by Mexican diligence. The Mexicans are proverb- 
ially fond of demanding extortionate charges for everything 
required by travelers, and it is necessary for one to keep his 
wits about him, or he will hava to pay two or three prices 
for everything. In Mexico foreigners are always considered 
legitimate prey, and the only way to avoid extortion is to 
learn the prices of exerything. This may be learned to 
some extent in the papers or from resident foreigners who 
can be trusted. After learning this, never ask: " IIow 
much do you charge? " but always say: " If you have so and 
to sell, at such a price, I will take it." They universally 
ask more than they expect to get, and fall to the regular 
price. 

In traveling, buy your ticket at the stage ofiice, and if 
you are to travel off' of the regular stage route a mule can be 
hired for a very small amount, whereas a team may cost 
you considerably. The prices of meals are generally cheap, 
except on the regular stage routes, where they reach as high 
as before mentioned in many places. 

The nearest and most convenient route for travelers from 
the Northern and Eastern States by steamer to Mexico City 
is by the line of F. Alexander & Sons from New York. 
Pare to Vera Cruz, first class, $80; second class, $60. From 
Vera Cruz, by rail, first class, $16; second class, $12; third 
class, $7. From New Orleans, first class, $60; second class, 
$45. From San Francisco, by Mexican Steamship Line, 
to Mazatlan, first class, $75; to Guaymas, first class, $90. 

Everyone goes armed for emergencies while traveling. 
On the public highways comparative safety reigns; but it is 
always safer to travel in companies, and not forget the 
American's pocket protector. Small bands of savages, most- 



191 

ly Apaches, still rove in the moimtaius and over the plaiua 
occasionally, and are ready to commit murder and robbery. 
Brigandage is not entirely done away with; and if the trav- 
eler is alone, he must, in dangerous places, keep on the look- 
out for lurking savages or brigands. Sometimes a solitary 
brigand will not hesitate to attack a traveler, and the manner 
of attack is often very singular. As a case in point, a traveler 
is responsible for the following. While traveling along one 
of the highways in northern Sonora, he was startled by the 
"chck" of a horse's hoofs behind him, and the pecuhar 
" swish " through the air of a lariat, which fell over his 
shoulders; and before he knew it almost, his arms were pin- 
ioned to his sides. Fortunately, he had the presence of mind 
to turn his horse's head, being well mounted, and spur his 
horse in pursuit of the brigand, or he would have been un- 
horsed in an instant. It took but a moment to free liimself 
from the lariat and draw his pistol and shoot the brigand 
dead on the spot. The object was to drag him fron? his 
horse and over the ground until he was insensible, and then 
rob him, and possibly murder him. We give this only 
as an illustration of the perils of solitary traveling. Camp- 
ing out is often romantic, and very agreeable; but if one 
intends to travel in Mexico at present, he must expect to 
endure some hardships. Ifc is necessary to acquire the Span- 
ish language, or sufficient to converse readily, and also to 
be provided with letters of introduction, either from some 
well-known Mexican citizen, or foreigner located in Mexico, 
in order to avoid many unpleasant and aggravating occur- 
rences. The people are hospitable and courteous, and expect 
foreigners to respect their institutions, and reserve their 
comments on the government and politics to themselves. 

Revolutions. 

The disturbances and overthrow of the civil authorities 
were, at one time, quite serious affairs in Mexico. Small 
bands of robbers would enter the town, take possession, and 
levy a tribute on all the citizens. This style of robbery has 
been dignified with the name of revoluion, when it is 
nothing more than the pranks of highwaymen. The most 
of these revolutions, so-called, are this and nothing more. 
Some years ago another style of revolution was adopted, that 
savored more of a conspiracy to defraud the government 
than anything else. Some of the large business houses, on 
the approach of their vessels laden with cargoes would pay 



192 

a small band of ruffians to put up a disturbance and over- 
tbrow the civil authorities, often in collusion with them, 
until the vessel had lande L her cargo and the goods were 
st red away; in this manner evading the duties. Some of 
the oldest and most respectable business houses have often 
engaged in this revolutionary fraud, anci acquired immense 
wealth thereby. This was 6to[)ped about seven years ago 
by the severity of the general government in ferreting out 
and punishing the perpetrators. Restitution was demanded 
in one instance, that cost the firm $150,000 more than they 
had ever made by it. This severity was exercised in other 
instances, and it put a stop to this species of speculation. In 
some instances during these disturbances, to give color to 
their innocence, a compromise was effected with the custom- 
house officers, and about one-fourth of the legal duties were 
paid. The jDrompt and effective punishment of this class of 
oft'enders by the late governors and chief executives of the 
republic has stopped the most of this marauding, and the 
republic is now comparatively safe for travelers and settlers. 
Foreigners who do not mix in political discussions or squab- 
bles, and keep a close mouth in relation to the affairs of the 
republic or states, are mostly left undisturbed, as their pres- 
ence is recognized as desirable. 

From the sentiments expressed in the editorials of the 
Mexican press, we gather the fact that immigration is 
desired on the part of the Mexican people, and they are 
opening their hospitable doors to the immense number of 
immigrants that are now flocking over the border-lines of 
the frontier. The old fashioned immigrant wagons are 
again seen on the road, crossing the frontier at El Paso, and 
remind old "49-ers" of the early days of California. Capi- 
talists are flocking by the hundreds from all parts of the 
United States into Tucson, and from thence into Mexico ; 
als:), at El Paso. These four states are fast being settled 
by these immigrants, and yet there is room in all that vast 
expanse of territory for the miner, settler, and capitalist. 

One great advantage, besides numerous others, will be in 
the effective stopping of every class of marauding revolu- 
tions; while the country will be settled up, new mines will 
be opened, and abandoned haciendas be made to pay rich 
returns for their management. Mexico will be the gainer 
in numerous ways; her soil will be extensively cultivated, 
and her mines produce an enormous annual revenue; her 
towns will be more flourishing, and her exports consequently 
increased. This will again benefit the nations who may be 



193 

in commercial relations with her inhabitants. The more 
producing element to develop her vast resources, the more 
extensive her trade with foreign nations will become. There 
are yet some facts to be taken into serious consideration in 
relation to the settlement of Mexican territory by American 
citizens, that will Be particularly referred to hereafter in the 
question of the acquisition of property in any of the states of 
Mexico by aliens. 

Annexation. 

In order to disabuse the minds of some persons who may 
think that any of the northern states of Mexico will at an 
early period be annexed to the United States, we present 
the following facts. There is a strong feeling among the- 
Mexican people akin to patriotism, which very positively de- 
clares that not another inch of the territory of the Mocte- 
zumas shall be ceded to the United States or any other- 
power. This is not the only reason .that exists unfavorable 
to aunexation; there are others of importance, the principal 
one being that capitalists who reside in the United States 
and Europe who have invested in mines and lands in Mexico 
will be opposed to annexation, since their property under 
the laws of Mexico escapes free from taxation, and their in- 
fluence will be against it. Secondly, the large property 
owners in these four states for the same reason will be op- 
posed to it. Thirdly, a large element in the United States,, 
located mostly in the South, who cultivate, in common with 
Mexico, cotton and sugar-cane and other productions of tho 
tropics, are opposed to it. Also, the additional federal taxea 
to support the governments in the additional territory, should 
it be annexed, makes the scheme an expensive one; besides 
the enormous price that would be demanded by the Mexi- 
can government for this territory, which contains the richest 
mines in the republic, would present an additional obstacle. 
Again, the advantages received would not repay the enor- 
mous outlay that would add to our already overburdened 
national government debt. Lastly, the cultivation of friend- 
ly business interests and relations between the two repub- 
lics will reduce the duties, so that when iron bands have 
joined their commerce, friendly and mutual interchanges 
will banish the idea of annexation. We think the advantages 
will be the same, but without the disadvantages that would 
be necessarily incurred. 

The influx of immigration will add to the security of 



19i 



property and person, which is all that settlers in a foreign 
country generally desire. Mexico is a great nation, and is 
well known to be the richest nation in the world in mineral 
resources. If they are developed by intelligent and well- 
directed labor, her future is a brilhant one. The telegraph 
and railway are already carrying into her limits the advan- 
tages t]]at will make her one of the most powerful nations 
on the globe. 

Steam engines are plying in her gold and silver mines, 
imported by foreign capital. Soon her seaports will be 
thrown open on both sides, and she will command the com- 
merce of the world. Far be it from the American people 
to covet her vast territory, with all her riches, though un- 
developed they be. Rather let us extend to her a friendly 
hand, assisting her to take a place among the advanced na- 
tions of the earth, with liberty inscribed on her flag, and 
prosperity extending throughout her limits. 

Her form of government is Republican, let us remem- 
ber; and she too, with our own republic, is solving the ques- 
tion of self-government. Stormy though her career has 
been, yet, with all her revolutions she has claims still upon 
our friendly interest; and with a commendable spirit of pa- 
triotism she is attempting to educate her people and de- 
velop her vast resources under a Republican form of gov- 
ernment. 

As Americans love their soil and take pride in their 
institutions, so does Mexico, in like manner, believe in her 
nation, her people, and looks forward to an era of prosperity 
equal to any nation on earth. 

For centuries she has been bowed down under the 
weight of an antiquated despotism, and is but passing 
through her childhood as a republic. With the fallof Na- 
poleon, in France, Mexico awoke to put off the shackles of 
her Spanish conquerors. Hernando Cortez found her a half 
barbaric but magnificent empire, ruled by the native princes, 
who wielded a despotic power in the palaces of the Mocte- 
zumas. Spain left her a ruined empire, with half of her 
people without the aid of the basis of modern civi,lization. 

Ignorance spread its pall upon her future as a republic, 
and storms of revolution after revolution was the natural 
result. But a new era is now dawning, that gives the prom- 
ise of a magnificent future. She is favorably situated for 
commerce — perhaps more favorably than any other country 
in the world; for she touches two oteans and a hundred 
vialauds, and stands midway between North and South 



195 

America, and midway between all tlie commerce of Asia 
and Europe. We boast of our mines in California, Nevada, 
and the territories, when we have but the border of the vast 
mineral region that nestles in her bosom. She possesses 
the matrix of all our mines of gold, and silver, and copper, 
and other minerals, while we have but the outcroppings. 
Her mines have for centuries yielded vast riches, and are 
almost untouched in comparison with her hidden treasures 
that are yet to be developed. It is no wonder that capital- 
ists are turning their eyes upon Mexico from all parts of the 
world. England, and Germany, and France have for years 
been quietly gathering the flower of her commerce; and 
even now the parties interested in Mexico from these na- 
tions are attempting to discourage American capitalists from 
invading their special favored commercial territory, as they 
are pleased to term it: but although they denounce the 
Mexican g-overnment and people, they take care to continue 
their quiet absorption of her wealth. It is time American 
capitalists should be vigilant; and if any nation is to develop 
the vast resources of Mexico, and profit thereby, the en- 
ergetic American people are to contribute their share in this 
great and remunerative work. 



196 

Roads of Northern Mexico. 

From Colonel E. de Fleury's Majp, 

SONORA. 

FromGuaymastoIIermosillo, 96 miles, good wagon road. 

From Hermosillo to Ures, 45 miles, " " " 

From Hermosillo to Santa Cruz, bj north road to Tucson, 
138 miles, good wagon road. 

From Santa Cruz to Fronteras, road to El Paso del Norte, 
80 miles, good wagon road. 

E'rom Fronteras to El Paso del Norte by Canon de Guada- 
lupe, 155 miles, good wagon road. 

From Ures to Altar, 140 miles, good wagon road. 
From Ures to Arisi^e, by road along Sonora river, 73 miles, 
mule trail. 

From Arispe to Fronteras, 55 miles, mule trail. 

From Ures to Moctezuma, 70 miles, mule trail. 

From Ures to Sahuaripa, ISO miles, mule trail. 

From Ures to La Trinidad Mine, road to Chihuahua, 140 
miles, mule trail. 

From Trinidad to Chihuahua City, 180 miles, mule trail. 

From Ures to Alamos, 182 miles, mule trail. 

From Alamos to El Fuerte, 40 miles, mule train. 

From Guaymas to El Pas^o del Norte (line of projected 
railroad), 470 miles, wagon road. 

CHIHUAHUA. 

From Chihuahua to El Paso del Norte, 250 miles, wagon 
road. 

From Chihuahua to Alamos, 220 miles, mule ttail. 

SINALOA. 

From El Fuerte to town of Sinaloa, 58 miles, wagon i-oad. 
From Sinaloa to Culiacan, 35 miles, wagon road. 
From Cualican to Cosala, 65 miles, wagon road. 
From Cualiacan to Mazatlan, 150 miles. 

LOWER CALIFORNIA. 

From Muleje to San Diego road to California, water at 
long intervals, 550 miles. 

From Muleje to La Paz, 335 miles, water at long intervals. 

From La Paz to Todos Santos, 76 miles, water at long in- 
tervals. 

From La Paz to San Jose, 60 miles, water at long intervals. 



197 
Manner of Acquiring Real Estate. 

Land is acquired in Mexico by denouncement, purchase, 
donation, accession, prescription, adjudication and inherit- 
ance. The law relating to jDublic lands limits the acquiring 
of said lands to 2,500 hectares (about 2J acres to each hec- 
tare) to each denouncer, but this may be increased by Gov- 
ernment grant. 

The following legal opinion touching the denouncement 
of vacant lands, by Hon. Judge Carlos F. Galan, one of the 
magi states of the Supreme tribunal of Siualoa and Lower 
California, but now practicing law In this city, is given to 
the public with the permission of Judge Galan: 

"A petition is presented to the District Judge (Federal), 
describing the lands by metes and bounds. The Judge 
orders the denouncement to be published In a newspaper for 
the period- of three weeks. If no opposition is made, the 
Judge orders a survey of the land denounced, to be paid for 
by the denouncer, but in accordance with certain rules given 
by the government. That done and presented to the Judge, 
the expediente is given for examination to the District At- 
torney, wlio objects or not, as the case ma^' be. In case of 
objectioii, the Judge orders a new survey, or whatever may 
be needed, in accordance with the District Attorney's opin- 
ion. When all is correct, the Judge adjudicates the land to 
the denouncer; a certified copy of all the proceedings is 
taken at the expense of the denouncer, and sent to the Gov- 
ernor of the State where the land is situated. He reports 
favorably or otherwise, and sends the papers, always at the 
expense of the denouncer, to the Minister of Fomento, in 
Mexico, and there the papers remain till their turn comes, 
and the Minister may or may not issue a patent. That is- 
sued, it is sent to the District Judge, who gives the judicial 
possession of the land, (not gratis, liowever) and the patent 
is delivered after paying for the land." 

The question of the right of foreigners to acquire real es- 
tate in the Republic is an extensive one, and we shall con- 
tent ourselves with the following brief summary and refer 
our readers to the work entitled " Hamilton's Mexican Law," 
in which we have elaborately^ discussed this subject, and 
quoted, all the laws extant relating thereto, together with 
the Mexican Constitution and decisions of Mexican tribunals. 

The law to-day in relation to foreigners may be said to 
prohibit : 



198 

First — Acquisition of private lands within twenty leagues 
of the boundary line by foreigners without express permis- 
sion from the Supreme Government. 

Second — Denouncement of public lands by natives or 
naturalized citizens of the adjoining nations in any of the 
frontier States or Territory., 

Third — Acquisition of real estate in any part of the Re- 
public, unless the foreigner is either a resident of Mexico, 
or admitted to local privileges, or has become a naturalized 
Mexican citize>i. 

Mexican Mining Law. 

■ The manner of denouncing mines is briefly as follows-: 
The discoverer presents himself with a written statement 
before the Mining Deputation of that district, or Prefect, 
setting forth his name, place of birth, residence, profession 
or trade, the distinguishiiig marks of the site, hill or vein 
of the property. The statement is entered in a book of 
registry with the hour of discoverer's application, and re- 
turned endorsed to the discoverer for his security. Public 
notice is then posted on the doors of the church, or in other 
public places, and within ninety days a shaft 1|- Varas in 
diameter at the rnouth and 10 varas in depth is sunk. One 
of the depnties, or the Perito, and a notary then personally 
inspect the bearings and direction of the vein, its width, in- 
clinations, its hardness or softness, solidity of its walls, na- 
ture and indications of the mineral, adding their report to 
the record with the certificate of possession, which is then 
given, upon fixing the dimensions of the claim and stakes 
or boundaries. Official copy of all of which constitute the 
title to the mine. 

Failure to work the mines four consecutive months with 
four regularly paid miners forfeits the mine, and it may 
then be denounced by another. N"eglect to work the mine 
in the manner prescribed by law eigiit months in the year, 
countingfroni date of possession, although during said eight 
months, several days or weeks are inters] )ersed, loses the 
rigl)t to the mine, unless this time is extended, or pestilence, 
famine or war intervene in the district where the mine is lo- 
cated, or within twenty leagues thereof The mining ordi- 
nance, with all its latest modifications and mining decisions 
of Mexican tribunals, will be found complete in the work 
last before mentioned. 

The present law originally prohibited foreigners not nat- 



199 

uralized or allowed by special license, from acqnriug or work- 
ing mines. This provision was repealed by subsequent 
laws and circulars, and now foreigners legally may acquire 
mines in all parts of the Republic, provided one of the 
partners resides within the limits of Mexico. On this subject 
see "Hamilton's Mexican Law," in wJiich is discussed the 
right of foreigners to acquire mines within the prohibited 
belt, with the laws and circulars quoted therein. This 
right is withheld from foreigners by an unjust interpretation 
of the law applicable to foreigners. 

Mexican Railroad Concessions. 

So many inquiries have been made, and are being made, 
respecting the concessions granted by the Mexican govern- 
ment, and under which railways are being built or will be 
built, that the following condensed statement of the same 
will be of value. This list contains the grants made from 
August, 1877 to 1881, and embraces what are known as the 
"live" grants. 

In the statement, the abbreviation "kil." stands for kilo- 
meter, one kilometer being equal to 62-135ths of an English 
mile. "S. G." stands for standard gauge, and "N. G." for 
narrow gauge. "Con." stands for the party to whom the 
concession has been granted. 

National railroad from Tehuacan to La Esperanza. S. G. 
Con., general government. Length, 50 kils. Total cost, 
t&298,500. Completed. 

Celaya to Leon and Guanajuato. K. G. Con., State of Guan- 
ajuato. Length, 125 kils. Built, 60. Total subvention, 
11,000,000. 

Mexico to Tolucaand Cuautitlan. IST. G. Con., an anoviy- 
mous Company. Length, 115 kils. Built, 46i. Total sub- 
vention, 1832,000. 

Salamanca to the Pacific Coast. N". G. Con., State of 
Michoacan. Length, 660 kils. None constructed. Total 
subv.mtion, $5,280,000. 

Oiaetusco to Pachuca and Tulancingo. N. G. Con., State 
of }I:dalgo. Length, 209 kils. BuiX 25. Total subven- 
tion, ^\i736,000. 

San Luis Potosi to Tantoyuquita. N. G. Con., State of 
Lan Luis Putosi. Length, 209 kils. Built, 6. Total sub- 
vention, $1,672,000. 

Lagos and Guadalajara to San Bias. N. G. Con., State oi 
Jalisco. Length, 737 kils. Built, none. Total subvention, 
$5,896,000. 



200 

Celaya to San Juan del Rio. N. G. Con., State of Queret- 
taro. Length, 104 kils. Built, none. Total subvention. 
$832,000. 

Tehuacan to Puerto Angel through Oaxaca. N. G. Con., 
State of Oaxaca. Length, 519 kils. Built, none. Total- 
subvention, $4,152,000.' 

Vera Cruz to Alvaraclo. N. G. Con., State of Vera Cruz, 
Length, 132 kils. Built, 9. Total subvention, $1,056,000. 

Tantojuquita and boundary of the States of San Luis and 
Tamaulipas. N. G. Con., State of Tamaulipas. Length, 
105 kils. Built, none. Total subvention, $840,000. 

Merida to Peto via Ticul and Tekax, N. G. Con., State 
of Yucatan. Length 126 kils. Built, 10. Total subvention. 
$756,000. 

Zacatecas to San Luis, Aguascalientes and Lagos. IS". G. 
Con., States of Zacatecas, San Luis, Aguascalientes and 
Jalisco. Length. 448 kils. Built, 0|- Total subvention, 
$3,854,000. 

Port of Manzanillo to Tonila. jST. G, Con., State of 
Colima. Length 104 kils. Built none. Total sabvention, 
$832,000- 

Mexico to the shore of the Amacuzac. 'N. G. Con. 
State of Morelos, Length, 395 kils. Built, 98. Total 
-subvention, $3,160,000. 

Matarnoras Izucar. N. G. Con., State of Puebla. Length 
.57 kils. Built. 11. Total subvention, $456,000. 

San Martin Texmelucan. S. G. Con., general govern- 
ment, Length, 37 kils, Built, 2. No subvention, 

Cuautitlan to Salto. N. G. Con., the Toluca Company. 
Length, 63 kils. Built, 38. Total subvention, $441,000. 

Tehuautepec. S. G. Con,, Edward Learned. Length, 
200 kils. Built. 5. Total subvention, $1,500,000. 

Mutamoras to Monterey. N. G. Con. state ol Tamaulipas. 
Length, 400 kils. Built none Total subvention, $8.200,00l> 

Mexico to Acapulco. N. G. Con., State of Guerrero. 

Length, 453 kils. Built, none. Total subvention, 

$3,720,000. 

Chihuahua to Villa del Paso or to Villa Ojiuaga. N. '•'. 
Con., State of Chihuahua. Length, 350 kils. Built, noi e 
Total subvention, $2,800,000. 

Patzcuaro to Morelia and Salamanca. N. G. Con,, State 
of Michoacan. Length, 169 kils. Built, none. Total sub- 
ventien, $1,352,000. 

Culiacan to the Port of Altata and Durango. N. G. Cou., 
State of Sinaloa. Length, 440 kils. Built, none. Total 
subvention, $3,520,000. 



201 

Anton Lizardo to Huataleo and Puerto Angel. N. G. 
Con., State of Oaxaca. Length, 450 kils. Built, none. 
Total subvention, 13,600,000. 

Jalapa to San Andres Cbalchicomula. N. G. Con., States 
ofPuebla and Vera Cruz. Length, 80 kils. Built, none. 
Total subvention, |640,000. 

San Agustin to Huehuetoca. N. G. Con., State of Hidal- 
go. Length, 50 kils. Bnilt, none. Total subvention, 
^400,000. 

Central International & Literoceanic (Boston Company.) 
S. G. Con,, limited Company, represented by S. Camaclio 
and R. Guzman. Length, 2,435 kils. Built, 54. Nearly 
ready 24 kils. additional. Must build within 1 year, 3 
months and 22 days. 354 kils. Time allowed for construc- 
tion, not counting first year, 9 years, 7 months, 22 days. 
Sura which the government must pay in one year from the 
date of concession, |600,000. Total subvention, $23,132,500. 

Mexican National Construction Company (Palmer & Sul- 
livan.) N. G. Con., Company represented by i'almer & Sul- 
livan. Length, 1,043 line to frontier, 915 line to Pacific. 
Built, none. Preparatory work being rapidly pushed. Sub- 
vention per kil. to Pacific, $7,000; to United States, $6,500. 

This Company- must build 450 kils. every two years. It 
is allowed four years, not counting first year, to reach the 
Pacific, and seven to reach the United States line. Total 
subvention, $13,184,500. 

San Martin to the Ft. of Hidalgo Tlaxcala. K G. Con., 
State of Tlaxcala. Length, 55 kils. Built, none. Total 
subvention, $520,000. 

Puebla to San Marcos. N. G. Con., State of Puebla. 
Length, 51 kils. Built, none. Total subvention, $408,000. 

Merida to Kalkini and Celestum. N. G. Con., state of 
Yucatan, Length, 145 kils. Built, none. Total subven- 
tion, $852,000. " 

Sonora (Guaymas to the northern frontier.) S. G. Con., 
limited company represented by S. Camacho and D. Fer- 
guson. Length, 457 kils. Built, 30. After first year this 
road must be constructed at rate of 200 kils. in two years. 
Total subvention, $3,199,000. 

Patzcuaro to the Pacific. N. G. Con,, state of Michoa- 
can. Length, 342 kils. Built, none. Total subvention, 
$2,736,000. 

Toluca to the mine of Ixtapa del Oro. N. G, Con,, Jose 
Maria Amat. Length not stated. No subvention. 



202 

Link uniting the Morelos and Mexican. N". G. Con., state 
of Morelos. Length not stated. 

Coal Lands railway, from Kio Yaqui fo the Morrito. S. 
G. Con., Robert R. Sjmon. Length not given. No sub- 
vention. 

Merida to Valladolid, N. G. Con., Francisco Canton. 
Length, 160 kils. Built, none. Total subvention, $960,000. 

Jalapa to Vera Cruz. N. G. Con., Ramon Zangroniz. 
Length, 114 kils. Built, none. Total subvention, $912,000. 

Salto to Maravatio via Tepeji and Jilotepec. N. G. Con., 
Pedro del Valle. Length not given, 

San Luis Potosi to the Mexican Central at Aguascalientes. 
N. G. Con., states of San Luis and Aguascalientes. Length, 
150 kils. Built, none. Total subvention, |1,200,000. 

Estacion company and town of Tlalmanalco. Con., state 
of Mexico. Built, none. Length not stated. 

General Grant's R. R. is to s'tart from the City of Mexico, 
passing by the Cities of Puebla and Oaxaca, and by Te- 
hauntepec and to take there the best route for the frontier 
of Mexico with Guatemala. One branch to come from Vera 
Cruz and Anton Lizardo and another to go to Iluatulco. 
The company has the right to build a line to Tuxtla, Chi- 
apa, San Cristobal and Comitan in the State of Chiapa. 

The railroad movement which has recently taken place in 
that country' is so remarkable, that, according to the return 
received at the Department of Public Works, 1097J kilom 
etres of railroad have already been built, and in every one 
of the difierent lines, works are being carried on with the 
utmost activity. 

The Mexican Railroad, which runs between the capital 
and the port of Vera Cruz, with branches to Puebla and 
Jalapa, carried, during the year 1879, — 287,326 passengers, 
and 177,834| tons of freight. During the year 1880, there 
has been a larger traffic, and the number of passengers 
amounted to 313,348 while the freight transported reached 
the amount of 223,359 tons and 315 kilogrammes. 

Mexicai Tariff and Trade Regulations. 

The Mexican tariff by its excessive rates, and the govern- 
mental regulations controlling foreign intercourse and trade, 
have long been a source of annoyance to foreign merchants, 
and the primiuy cause of official delinquencies. The high 
rates have not alone been the cause of smuggling, but the 
peculiar intricacy of the custom house regulations, which 



203 

have caused the confiscation of goods of well-meaning mer- 
chants, has also added to the temptation to evade the revenue 
officers and thus defraud the Mexican government. Indepen- 
dent of the annoyances attending a new trade, it will repay our 
merchants to examine carefully the following facts in connection 
with the list of goods mostly exported from the United States 
to Mexico. The duties thereon are calculated by the French 
standard of weights and measures. A metre is 39 inches, a 
kilogram is 2-^ pounds. The figures enclosed in parentheses 
is an additional charge per 100 kilograms, gross weight, im- 
posed by the law of June 25, 1881. 

Wine, white, of all kinds, in bottles or demijohns, with- 
out allowing breakage, kil. net wt. (50 cts.) $ .29 

Wine, white, ot all kinds, in wooden vessels, without 

allowing leakage, kil. net wt. (50 cts.) .19| 

^Wine, claret, all kinds, in bottles or demijohns, without 

allowing breakage, kil. net wt. (50 cts.) .18^ 

Wine, claret, all kinds, in wooden vessels, without allow- 
ing leakage, kil. net wt. (50 cts.) .11| 

Wines, medicinal, all substances, and authors, kil. net 

wt. (50 cts.)...' 1.(0 

Liquors in bottles or jars, without allowing breakage, 
kil. gross wt., .23 and .08 additional net, (50 cts.) 

Acids, of all kinds, either gaseous or liquid, kil. net wt. 

including inside packing^ (50 cts.) ' .25 

Acids, powdered or in glass vessels, kil. net wt., includ- 
ing inside packing, (50 cts.) 1.00 

Billiard tables of any material, not including cloth, upon 
appraisement, 55 per cent. 

Billiard balls, kil. gross wt. (50 cts.) 3,72 

Billiard sticks and caps, kil. gross wt. (50 cts.) .43 

Books, bound in velvet, shell, tortoise, ivory or metal, 

kil. gross wt. (50 cts.) 1,15 

Blankets, cotton, plain or stamped, square metre, (50 cts.) .48 

Blankets, wool, not stamped or figured, square metre, 

(50 cts.) .96 

Blankets, cotton and wool mixed in average proportion, 

plain or stamped, square metre, (75 cts.).... .72 

Brushes, scrubbing, shoe blacking and horse cleaning, 

gross wt. (50 cts.) .19 

Brushes for table, clothing, hair, teeth, nail's and hats, 
set on wood, bone, horn, or. gutta percha, gross wt. 
(50 cts.) _ _ .29 

Same, set on ivory, shell, tortoise, or gilded or silver 

plated metal, gross wt. ($1.00) 86 



204 

Bags and sacks, ready-made, common, of any material, ' 

upon appraisement, 65 per cent. (50 cts.) _ 

Clocks, fine, not gold or silver, gross wt. ($1.00) 86 

Clocks, common, with or without wooden box, gross wt. 

(75 cts.) 29 

Coffee, net wt. (75 cts.) 10 

Cloves and spices, net wt. (50 cts.) __ .60 

Cotton, ginned, gross wt. (50 cts.), _ • .07 

Cotton," seed, gross wt. (75 cts.) .02 

Curry-combs and iron combs, gross wt. (50 cts.) 19 

Codfish, dried or smoked, and any other fish prepared 

in the same manner, net wt. (75 cts.) 10 

Combs, Chinese cane, all kinds, gross wt. ($1.00) 23 

Combs, ladies' varnished iron, horn, gutta-percha, bone, 

or wood, with or without common metal, gross wt. 

(50 cts.) .29 

Cloth, all kinds and colors, with woolen base and woof, 

plain, figured or striped, sq. metre (75 cts.) 1.56 

Cotton goods, common white and colored, sq. metre 

($1.00) 09 

Cotton goods, white and colored, not embroidered or 

—'^^erforated, sq. metre (50 cts.)_ _. .16 

Cotton goods, plain, brown, unbleached, sq. metre (50 

cts.) 09iVu 

Cotton goods, bleached or unbleached, serged or twilled, 

sq. metre (50 cts.) ^ 16 

Cotton goods or textures, white or colored, embroidered 

or perforated, sq. metre ($1.00) : .19 

Thread, per doz. ($1.00) 20 

Cassimeres and similar woolen goods, sq. metre ($1.00) .80 

Carriages, open, and coupes, each (50 cts.) 176.00 

Coaches, phaetons, landaus, each (50 cts.) 396.00 

Buggies, each (50 cts.) 132.00 

Sulkies, each (50 cts.). _ 33.00 

Wagons, each (50 cts.) _. 66.00 

Harness for carriages, fine, kil., gross wt. (75 cts.) 2.00 

Harness for wagons, ordinary, kil., gross wt. (75 cts.).. .86 

Furniture, 55 per cent, ad valoi^em (50 cts.) _ 

Pianos, kil., gross wt. (75 cts.) 43 

Drugs, medicines, natural and cliemical products, and 

vessels and commodities used therefor not speci- 
fied in tariff, 88 per cent, ad valorem ($1.00) 

Earthenware and porcelain, except those specified, and 

toys, gross wt., without allowing breakage (50 cts.) .14 
Same, ornamented with white or yellow metal (75 cts.) .29 



205 

rionr, kil. net. wt., (50c) 10 

Wheat, kil, net wt., (50c) 04 

Barley, kil., net wt., (50c) 03 

Bice, kil., net wt., (50c) 07 

Hops, kil., net wt., (50c) 18 

Hams, smoked, net wt., (50c) 25 

Meats, salt and smoked, net wt, (50c) 24 

Lard, kil, net wt., (50c) 18 

Batter, kil., net wt., (50c) 24 

Cheese, kil., net wt., (50c) 14 

Candles, tallow, gross wt., (50c) 08 

Candles, stearine, gross wt., (50c) 19 

Candles, parafine, gross wt, (50c) 38 

Crackers, gross wt., (50c) 12 

Canned fruit, cans included, net wt, (50c)...., 50 

Canned meats and fish, cans included, net wt, (50c).. 72 

Pickles, jars included, kil., net wt, (50c) 48 

Soap, toilet, kil., gross wt, (75c).. 1 15 

Soap, common, kil., gross wt, (50c) 15 

Glass, common, kil., gross wt, (50c) 24 

Gun powder, kil., gosswt., (75c) 2 00 

N"ails of all kinds, iron, kil., gross wt,, (50c) 12 

Tools, iron, steel and wood, kil., gross wt., (50c) 19 

Clothing, readj-made, all kinds, per suit, ($1) 132 
per cent. 

India rubber clothing, kil., gross wt. (75c) 1 43 

India rubber shoes, etc., kil., gross wt., (50c) 43 

India rubber cloth, for tables, kil, gross wt., (50c).. 29 

Oil cloth, for floors kil., gross wt, (50c) 29 

Leather, boots, yellow, dozen, (^1) 16 50 

Leather boots, calf or morocco, dozen, (|1) 27 00 

Leather shoes, common, men's, dozen, ($1) ,.... 7 00 

Leather shoes, fine, men's, dozen, ($1) 16 50 

Leather shoes, women's dozen, ($1) 10 00 

Leather shoes, women's common, dozen, (75c).. 5 50 

Carpets, two and three-ply, sq. metre, ($1) 80 

Carpets, Brussels, sq. metre, ($1) 97 

Carpets, velvet, sq. metre, ($1) 1 40 

Cocoa matting, kil, gross wt, (50c) 16 

Yinegar, barrels, kil., net wt., (50) 05 

Vinegar, bottles, kil., net wt, (50c) 10 

Whisky, barrels, kil., net wt., (50c) 37|- 

Whisky, bottles, net wt, (50e) 46 

Beer, barrels, kil.. net wt., (50c) 10^ 

Beer, bottles, kil., net wt., (50c) 21 



206 

Petroleum, cans included, kil., net wt., (50c) 09 

Resin, kil., gross wt., (50c) 25 

Tar, kil., gross wt., (50c) 03 

Salt, kil., gross wt., (50c( 05 

Potatoes, kil., gross wt, (50c) 02 

Onions, kil., gross wt., (50c) 02 

Free List. 

Articles exempt from import duties at the Maritime and Frontier 
Custom houses of Mexico, ' as revised in accordance with 
the law of 1st of June 1880, and also with the law of June 
£5th, 1881. 

Art. 16. — The following articles are exempt from duties 

on their importation into the Republic, except in amounts 

as follows: 

Gross Weight 
per 100 Icils. 

1. — Armament for the States, provided that the ex- 
emption be solicited from the Executive of 
the Union, by the Governors, with the consent 

of their respective Legislatures 

2. — Telegraph wire, the destination of which must 
be accredited at the Maritime Custom houses, 

by the respective parties interested 

3. — Wire, of iron or steel for carding from No 26 

upwards 50 

4. — Alabaster in the rough 50 

5. — Animals of all kinds, alive or stuffed for cabinets 
of Natural History — with the exception of 

gelded horses... 50 

6. — Ploughs and ploughshares 50 

7. — Masts and anchors for large or small vessels 50 

8. — Oats, in grain or in the straw 50 

p9._Quicksilver 50 

ho.— Sulphur 50 

11. — Steel crowbars for mines, cylindrical or octagon, 
from 4 to 6 centimeters in diameter and from 

-jr^. 75 to 175 centimetres in length 50 

ri2. — Fire engines and common pumps of all classes, 

V. and materials for irrigation and other purposes. 50 

e— Hoes, "machetes" [common chopping knives 
for sugar cane] without sheaths, scythes, sick- 
les, rakes, harrows, spades, shovels, picks and 
pickaxes for agricultural purpose 75 



207 . 

Gross Weight 
per 100 kils. 

14. — Hydraulic lime 50 

15. — Tubing of all classes, materials and dimensions, 
without considering as comprised in this exemp- 
tion, copper tubes or those of other metals that 
do not come soldered or closed with joints or 
rivets in their whole length, which shall be 
subject to the payment of duties, acording to 

the material 50 

16. — Cardclothing of wire, in sheets for machinery 

I and sheep cards i 50 

17'-{- Wheel barrows, hand, of one and two wheels, I 

V and hods , 50 

18. — Crucibles of all materials and sizes..., 50 

19.-|-Railway cars, coaches and wagons..../ 

20.— Coal of all kinds /..'. 

21. — Collections, mineralogical and geological, and of 

all branches of Natural History 

22. — Houses, of wood or of iron, complete I 

23. — Whalebone, unmanufactured ;.. 50 

24. — Designs and models of machinery, buildings, 

monumentsand ships or vessels 50 

25. — Staves and heads for barrels 50 

26. — Vessels, ships, boats, etc., of all classes and 
forms, in their naturalization or for sale, or on 
their introduction for navigating the bays, 

lakes, canals and rivers of the Republic..,. , 

27. — Iron and steel, manufactured into rails for rail- | 

ways ' 

28. — Fruit and vegetables, fresh, with the exception 

of those specified in the schedule of duties 50 

29— Guano 50 

30.— Ice 50 

31. — Hiposulphate of Soda 50 

32, — Corn meal, made from maize, and handmills for 

grinding it 50 

33. — Instruments, scientific 1 00 

34. — Books, printed, bound or unbound 1 00 

35.-4-F ire wood.. V 50 

36. — Bricks and clay, refractory... 1 50 

'37. — Type, letter, gussets, spaces, lines, vignettes and 

every kind of printing type 50 

38.— Boxwood 50 

39. — Timber, common, for construction 50 

40. — Maize, Indian Corn 50 



« 



208 



V 



Gross Weight 
per 100 kils. 

41. — Maps and glooes 1 00 

42. — Machinery — I. Machines and apparatus of 
every kind adapted to industrial purposes, to 
agriculture, raining and the arts and sciences, 

with their separate and duphcate parts 60 

II. Loose pieces of machinery and apparatus, com- 
ing together with or apart therefrom, are includ- 
ed in this exemption, but this exemption does 
not comprise the leather or rubber belting that 
serves for communicating motion, when it is not 
imported at the same time as the machinery to 

which it is to be applied 1 00 

III. Those articles of which a separate use can be 
made, digtinct from the machinery or appara- 
tus, such as pig iron, hoop iron in bars or rods, 
stuft's of woollen or other material and tanned 
or untanned leather, even when they come 
jointly with the machinery shall be subject to 
the payment of duties, in accordance with the 

rates of the respective Tarift'. 

j 43. — Steam engines and locomotives, iron or wooden 
I sleepers, and the other accessories for build- 

^ ing railways 

44. — Marble in the rough and in slabs of all dimen- 
sions for floors or pavement 60 

45. — Fuse and matches for mines 50 

46, — Ores of precious metals, in bulk or in powder... 

47. — Moulds and patterns for the arts 60 

48. — Legal coin of silver or gold of all nations 

49. — Coins, — collections of, — of all classes 1 00 

50. — Natural History — Specimens of — for museums 

and cabinets 60 

51. — Fodder — dry, in the straw 60 

62. — I. Plants and seeds for the improvements of ag- 
riculture exceeding 115 kilograms of each 

kind of seed 60 

11. In order that the seeds be comprised in 
this exemption, it must be expressed in the 
respective Consular Invoices, that they are im- 
ported for the improvement of agriculture 

(^53. — Lithographic Stones 60 

54. — Slates for roofing and floors 50 

65. — Powder — common, for the use of mines and 

dynamite for the same purposes 50 



209 

> GrToss Weight 

per 100 Jcils. 

56. — Vaccine matter .....^ 50 

57. — Oars for boats and barges '. 50 

58. — Common salt, imported tbrough "Paso del 

Norte." ^ 50 

59.— Saltpetre 50 

60. — Sulphate of copper 50 

61. — Anvils for silver smiths 50 

62.~Printing Ink • 50 

63. — Type, w^opden, and other materials for litho- 
graphy 50 

64. — Rays of all kinds for manufacturing powder 50 

65. — Joists, of iron for roofs, provided no use can be 
made of them for other purposes in which iron 

is employed 50 

66, — Anvils, Blacksmith's 50- 

Article 17 th — The Executive of the Union can concede a 
dispensation of import duties, to the amount of one hundred 
dollars, on the articles brought in by the States of the t'ed- 

eration, which are intended for the encouragement of ma- 
terial improvements and for the aid of public charities. 

Note of the Translator. — Notwithstanding the paragraph 
No. 42 declares machinery free of duties, iron shoes and dies 
for mortars and stamping mills are made to pay 6 cents per 
kilogram, gross weight, and iron stamps for crushing mills 
the same rate, as per paragraph of the Schedule of duties. 
No. 448. George F. Henderson, Translator. 

One small trunk containing necessary wearing apparel,, 
two watches and chains, one hundred cigars, forty smalli 
bunches of cigars, one-half a kilogram of snuff, one-half 
a kilogram of tobacco for pipe, one pair of pistols with 
their accesories up to 200 cartridges, one rifle, escopda or 
carbine with ♦accesories up to 200 cartridges, one pair o| 
musical instruments, except pianos and organs. 

Formerly the Federal Government of Mexico had four or- 
five additional duties, but these have all been cousolidatedi 
into the tariff (which is one cause of its high rate), and on& 
other duty paid to the Custom House in Mexico City of two 
per cent, on the tariff rate when the goods are shipped to 
Mexico City. There exists also a municipal and State dutj^ 
on foreign goods, so that when the goods are landed at Vera 
Cruz they pass through the Custom House and pay the tariff, 
then another tax is laid upon them by the municipality. 



210 

when they leave Yera Cruz All foreign goods must be pass- 
ed regularly through the custom house at Vera Cruz, when 
consigned to Mexico City by way of Yera Cruz. Upon their 
arrival in Mexico City the goods have to again go through the 
custom house in that city, the packages subjected to another 
opening, the local tax to be paid, and more charges for stamps, 
stevedores, etc. In spite of all this annoyance, the merchants 
find the trade very profitable. It may be well to note that 
there is no bonded warehouse system under the Mexican tar- 
iff laws, and hence all goods must pay the duties when im- 
ported, one month being the time allowed for adjusting all 
questions of difference and payment. 

Before the goods are shipped : 1st, Consult the Mexican 
consul at your port on the regulations, and follow his instruc- 
tions to the letter carefully, obtaining the forms to be filled 
out from him ; 2d, Invoice the goods, procuring the Mexican 
consul's authentication to the same, or in the absence of a 
consul or vice-consul, authentication by two responsible mer- 
chants; 3d, Manifest the goods with one or the other above 
specified authentications ; 4th, Obtain the Mexican consul's 
receipt, when it can be obtained, on separate paper, for the 
fees paid on authentication, invoice and manifest ; 5th, Send 
all docnments with the goods to whoever is to conduct the 
entry of the goods into Mexico ; 6th, See that the manifest 
and invoice is made in triplicate and contain an exact detail 
of quantity, kind, quality and value of everything in the cargo 
to be entered. Unless this rule is strictly complied with a 
iieavy fine will be incurred ; 7th, In packing the goods put 
•each'class as classified by the tariff in separate packages, those 
calculated by net weight of a certain specified value in one, 
those by gross weight in another, and those by square metre 
in another, and those by ad valorem in another, and when dif- 
ferent rates are attached ~to different kinds of merchandise, 
Avhether appraised by net or gross weight, or square metre or 
ad valorem, place the goods with the same tariff rates in their 
respective packages, classifying the respective goods by values 
of rates as well as by the manner of appraisement. The clas- 
sification by value is as necessary as the others from the fact 
that when different classes of values are packed promiscuous- 
ly, the appraisement will be made upon the whole package at 
the rate corresponding to the highest rate of any article con- 
tained therein; 8th, In packing goods to be appraised by 
: square metre, every package should contain the same number 
■of yards. This will save the opening of packages, and the cal- 
'.culation can be made much easier for the invoice. 



211 



Trade with Mexico. 

To thoroughly understand the present prospect of trade 
with Mexico outside of her promise of future development, 
it will be well to note the following facts : 

In 1876, Antonio Garcia Cubas, one of the most reliable of 
Mexican writers, summed up the population of Mexico at 
9,495,157, as the census of 1875, of which 20 per cent, were 
of the European race and nearest descendants of the Spaniards, 
or 1,899,031. Of the remaining population 43 per cent, were 
of the mixed race, or 4,082,918, and 37 per cent, of the native 
Indian race, or 3,513,208. 

Within the last seven years the population has increased 
considerably, and especially within the last two years, the in- 
crease being through colonies and the natural development 
arising from the unexampled progress made in railroad build- 
ing. The population of some of the larger cities are as fol- 
lows: The City of Mexico, 280,000, which is larger than 
Eome in Italy, which has 244,484, or Lisbon with 253,000, 
San Luis Potosi 45,000, Puebla 76,817, Leon, in the state of 
Guanajuato, 100,000, Guanajuato 63,000, Guadalajara 93,875, 
Toluca 11,376, Coliraa 31,774, Zacatecas 62,000, Merida, cap- 
ital of the state of Yucatan, 56,000, Aguas Calientes 35,000, 
Morelia 25,000, Carapeche 26,000, Saltillo 17,000, Chihuahua 
18,000, Durango 22,000, Pachuca 15,000, Mazatlan 13,000, 
Oaxaca 26,708, Queretaro 48,000, and Tlaxeala 36,463. It 
may be seen from the foregoing that the cities and towns of 
Mexico will compare favorably with other nations, and that 
she is almost as thickly settled in proportion to the extent of 
her territory as the United States, since the latter has only 
13.91 inhabitants to the square mile, while Mexico has about 
12.21 inhabitants to the square mile. 

" There are 146 cities, 372 towns^ 4,486 villages, 6 missions, 
5,869 haciendas, 14,705 ranches, besides 2,248 collections or 
groups of houses denominated " congregaciones," " barrios," 
" rancherias," " cuadrillas," " riberas," and " estancias." 

Yalue of private real estate, rural, $ 773,000,000 

Private real estate in cities, ____ 2,558,036,000 

Live Stock of all kinds belonging to individuals, 123,060,000 
Property belonging to the nation, 340,000,000 

Total property, without including other per- 
sonal property and mines, Kjoasts, ports, 
lakes, bays, rivers, etc $3,794,060,000 



212 

The annual aojricnitural production of the Republic reaches 
to 6,569,524,903 kilograms, valued at $177,451,986. The 
harvest of corn alone reaches $112,164,424. The products of 
industrial establishments (manufactories, etc.) are estimated 
at from $13,000,000 to $14,000,000. 

There are 324 mining districts, 23 placers, and 1,694 mines 
(worked), which produce 2,567,306 cargas (300 lbs. to the 
carga) of metal per year, reaching the annual value of $29,- 
713,355 ; and the number of persons engaged in the mining 
industry, 102,240. 

The 'exportations from July 1st, 1877, to June 30th, 1878, 
were $28,777,508.07; and importations, $34,005,299.12. 

The above valuable information has been ably compiled by 
Seiior D. Emilliano del Busto, and is recognized as authorita- 
tive in Mexico. 

The Department of Agriculture and Commerce has pub- 
lished a report upon the wheat yield of Mexico, from which 
we note the following: 

The amount of land cultivated for wheat is officially an- 
nounced at 6,909,932 hectares (2.48 acres per hectare) in 1880, 
and in 1879 at 6,876,975 hectares. In 1880 the amount of 
wheat raised was 68,725,075 metric quintals. From 1871 to 
1877, inclusive, the total production of wheat was 701,323,052 
hectolitres; and the amount consumed during the same period 
was 731,341,554 hectolitres, or necessitating an importation of 
30,018,502 hectolitres. During the year 1880 the production 
was 101,081,836 hectolitres, and the amount imported for 
home consumption was 3,395,529 hectolitres (each hectolitre 
being 2| bushels), or 9,337,704| bushels of wheat imported in 
1880. ■ 

The following table shows that the trade of the United 
States with Mexico, exports to, and imports from, for the fiscal 
years 1879, 1880 and 1881, has moved as follows : 

1879. 1880. 1881. 

Exports $ 6,761,284 $ 7,869,864 $11,172,738 

Imports.. 14,047,819 16,325,417 17,454,126 

$20,809,103 $24,195,281 $28,926,864 
Exports from the United States to Mexico : 

ARTICLES. 1880. 1881. 

Cotton ..$y76^ $1,494,101 

Cotton goods --15^57'Wr 1,018,600 

Machinery - 365.200 988,800 

Other iron manufactures 390,000 - 913,000 



213 

Quicksilver. 377,825 462,159 

Indian corn 68,872 240,182 

Fire-arms 209,467 224,301 

Chemicals, drugs, etc 142,237 209,953 

Builders' lumber . . ., _ 130,506 183,436 

Sewing machines 135,823 179,555 

Petroleum 155,328 173,155 

Onnpowder _ 49,627 145,397 

Edge tools 97,936 138,469 

Total _ $4,130,888 |6,371,108 

_ The imports into the United States from Mexico of coffee, 
since 1875, run as follows : 

POUNDS. 

18'^5. _ 2,691,889 $ 485,489 

18^6. .._ 3,941,229 713,833 

18'^'^ 6,789,693 1,265,970 

1878 6,387,063 1,082,272 

J8'^9_.. 8,307,040 1,371,979 

1880 9,818,525 1,523,658 

According to the Treasury statistics of 1879, the articles 
which we are exporting to Mexico are as follows: — Acids, 
agricultural implements, live animals (principally sheep), beer, 
ale and porter, billiard tables, blacking, books, pamphlets, 
brass maimfactures, breadstuffs, brooms, brushes, candles, car- 
riages, railway cars, clocks, coffee and spices, coal, combs, cop- 
per manufactures, cordage, raw cotton, cotton piece goods, 
drugs, chemicals, earthen and chinaware, fancy articles, fruit 
(green and preserved), glass and glassware, hats and caps, 
hemp manufactures, hides and skins, kips, india-rubber goods, 
iron manufactures, steel manufactures, lead inanutactures, 
leather manufactures, lime and cement, musical and scientific 
instruments, matches, naval stores, oil, ordnance stores, paint- 
ings, paper and stationery, perfumery, plated ware, printing 
presses and types, provisions, quicksilver, rice, scales and bal- 
.ances, seeds, sewing machines, soap, spirits, starch, steam fire 
engin^s,_ sugar (refined), candles, tallow, tinware, tobacco, trunks 
and valises, varnish, watches, wearing apparel, wine, wood 
manufactures, and some miscellaneous articles. The direction 
in which large gains are to be made is in the articles which 
Mexico imports from Europe. The great bulk of the trade 
which Mexico has with England is in cotton goods. Changes 
•of an economic rather than of a political character are going 
on, which are destined to enlarge our commercial intercourse 



214 

with Mexico. In the first place, we are manufacturing many 
articles which the Mexicans prefer to those imported from 
Europe, either because of their greater cheapness or adapta- 
bility. In the next place, a railroad development is projected 
which will bring the two Republics under the same trans- 
portation system. 

The greatest demand for American manufactured goods 
will come from the white and mixed races, which constitute 
the wealthy and middle classes. Some of the business houses 
in the large cities have branch establishments in several cities, 
and are worth many millions. These classes wield the power 
of the Republic, and to-day are anxious to have brought to 
their doors that business energy and material progress that 
will give them the comforts and luxuries, as well as the busi- 
ness facilities, enjoyed in Europe and the United States. Many 
of the old houses have chartered vessels and brought their 
cargoes of goods from Europe. 

A large proportion of the wholesale trade, however, is in 
the hands of German and English houses, who have been 
struggling to obtain the control, and have battled with each 
other until the Germans have obtained the ascendancy. At 
present the greater proportion of the wh(.>lesale trade is under 
the eontrol of a powerful ring of German importers and mer- 
chants, although a good proportion of the wholesale trade is 
yet in the hands of old Spanish and Mexican merchants, who 
are looking to the United States for a large future trade. 

The native races, or Indians constitute almost exclusively 
the laboring classes of the Republic, and the assertion that 
they do not consume foreign goods is not borne out by the facts, 
although the manufacturing industry in Mexico to-day is by 
no means insignificant. There are over TO cotton factories, 
which produce mostly a brown, coarse cotton, locally known 
as mancas, not a little of the raw material for which is im- 
ported from the United States. In fact, over 21,000 bales of 
cotton annually are exported to Mexico from the United 
States. Although some 4,000,000 pieces of 33 yards each per 
annum are produced by the Mexican manufacturers, and 9 
print works that turn out annually 400,000 pieces, and 10 
woolen mills that produce annually 2,000,000 pieces of cassi- 
raere and woolen cloth, — still Mexican manufacturers are 
unable to supply the home demand, and the American coarse 
cotton goods, cloths, blankets and calicoes, on account of their 
better designs and greater durability, are being preferred. 
The liner grades of woolen continue to come from France and 
England. 



215 

These classes of goods are consumed by the laboring classes, 
and the peon wears foreign cotton quite as often as the fabrics 
produced by the home manufacturers, while his tools and fire- 
arms and the showy dress of his wife come from the United 
States or Europe. The cheap black and white shawls, or 
" rebosos," universally worn instead of bonnets by the women 
of the lower classes, are largely in demand and are almost en- 
tirely manufactured in Mexico. 

An internal revenue tax has been put upon the products of 
the Mexican mills by the influence of the importers of foreign 
fabrics, but the cotton industry is well patronized and more 
mills are built every year. The production of cotton yarn by 
Mexican mills alone reaches to about 18,000,000 lbs. annually. 
The large national demand for cotton goods is such that "a 
large importation of foreign cloths occurs annually. During 
the year 1875, out of $29,000,000 imports, $10^500,000 in 
cotton and cotton goods alone were imported. In 1881 the 
United States exported to Mexico $11,172,738 of goods, of 
which $2,512,701 was in cotton and cotton goods ; of the lat- 
ter, $1,018,600, and the balance in raw material. 

In 1880, England exported to Mexico in cotton goods, plain, 
printed and mixed, $2,406,000; while the United States ex- 
ported of the same class of goods only $8^2,000. England 
has had the advantages of experience in the trade, and con- 
sequently manufactures to suit the Mexican taste, and pays par- 
ticular attention to packing, which is necessary in order to 
hold the trade. Cotton goods should be packed either in stout 
bales or in boxes, which will allow of their being placed on 
the backs of mules. This is important, since Mexican mer- 
chants complain that our manufacturers are indifferent as to 
the tastes of their customers, and often forget that the goods 
are to be transported upon mules ; while the English, who are 
acknowledged to produce inferior goods, carefully study the 
varying tastes of their Mexican patrons, as well as their cus- 
tomers in all parts of the globe, and pack their goods as their 
customers prefer. A better assortment of colors and fineness 
of fiiiish is demanded by the Mexican traders. The quality of 
our iioods is undisputed. When they become known to 'the 
purclxasing community they continue to be demanded, and 
very easily supersede the British goods. 

The British manufacturers buy their raw material in the 
United States, carry it across the "Atlantic, manufacture it into 
calicoes and woolens, and then ship it across the ocean to 
Mexico, and undersell our manufacturers. The cotton goods 
of coarse texture are sized to such a degree that the finish 



216 

completely disguises the quality, until a soaking rain reduces 
the fabric to the condition of a straining cloth. Here the 
durability of the American goods makes a revelation to the 
Mexican that he has been swindled, and the result is but 
natural. 

Along the Rio Grande the Mexicans are large buyers of our 
groceries, hardware and general supplies. American calicoes 
are gaining ground on the border, and Connecticut clocks may 
often be found throughout Mexico, while our improved fire- 
arms are largely sold in the chief cities of the Republic. Our 
type, printing presses and printing ink have found a market 
in the country, and even the improved type writer is known 
to some extent. There is but one electrotype foundry in the 
Republic, and that is in Mexico City. Among other articles 
■of exportation to Mexico are tools, cans, kerosene, soap, re- 
lined sugar, quicksilver, nails, lamps, boots and shoes, bacon, 
butter, cotton-seed oil, gunpowder and blasting powder, per- 
fumery and paints. American patent medicines are well 
known in Mexico, and even the " pad '' is not a stranger in 
the Republic. Lager beer, common wines, liquors and our 
finer brands of champagne and brandy are competing with the 
French wines and brandies, and the universal Mexican drinks, 
■*' mescal" and "*pulque." An "American furniture ware- 
liouse " is one of the sights of the Mexican metropolis. Much 
of the furniture now sold in the country comes from Cincin- 
nati, Ohio, St. Louis, Mo., and Chicago. The mining machin- 
ery now being sent into the country comes from San Fran- 
cisco, Philadelphia and New York, and Pittsburgh and Chi- 
cago. Agricultural implements are being shipped from San 
FranciscOy Chicago, New York and Philadelphia. Hardware 
of all kinds is also shipped from the same points. Wooden 
ware is being supplied by St. Louis and New York. 

The trade in sewing machines is becoming an extensive one 
and the prominent cities of the Union are all becoming more 
or less interested in this trade with Mexico. The greater part 
of the sales in cotton and woolen fabrics are exported from 
New York and Boston, Chicago, St. Louis and New Orleans. 
Overalls, custom clothing and woolens are shipped from New 
York, Boston, Chicago and San Francisco. San Franciscu 
supplies with St. Louis canned goods, and San Francisco 
alone supplies Mexico her wheat supply that is demanded in 
excess of her own production, while New Orleans and San 
Antonio and Galveston export to the Republic her needed 
supplies of raw cotton over that of her own production. Tuc- 
son, Arizona, furnishes a large part of the mining supplies for 



217 

the northern part of the Republic, assisted by Santa Fe and 
San Francisco, with a small proportion from New York. 

The western manufacturers of Chicago and San Francisco 
will eventually control the manufacture of agricultural imple- 
ments, with possibly some competition with New York and 
St. Louis, with the odds in favor of Chicago. The balance of 
the trade will be distributed in proportion to the energy of 
the business houses in the several cities with the elements 
of the cost of transportation and the productions of certain 
localities playing important parts. 

That the trade is valuable with great possibilities is admit- 
ted, and the extensive investments of American railroad capi- 
talists who have carefully studied the probabilities of future 
profit upon their capital invested, is significant. The work of 
Mexican railroad dev^elopment, however, is not altogether an 
experiment, as appears from the publication of the receipts and 
expenditures of the English company operating a road from 
Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico. This road was completed/ 
in 1873 and is 263 miles in length, and its gross earnings for 
the first year were $2,117,553. In 1881 its gross earnings 
were $i,831,215, or m-ore than doubled. This does not in- 
clude the generous government subventions. The gross earn- 
ings we thus see were in 1881 at the rate of $16,484: per mile 
and the net earnings nearly 110,000 per mile. For the years 
1879, 1880 and the first half of 1881 the working expenses 
averaged only 41.93 per cent, of the gross traffic. 

During the nine years in which the road has been in practi- 
cal operation the net profits foot up over $12,700,000 exclu- 
sive of government subsidies. In 1880 the profits amounted 
to $2,147,589, which increased in 1881 to $2,958,720, or an in- 
crease in one year of $811,131 or an increase of $67,594.25 
per month in the net profits. 

The Merida and Progreso railway is only 28 miles in length, 
the traffic over which increased eighteen-fold in ten years. 
The railroad cost about $300,000 and now earns at least fifty 
per cent, per annum, by official report of the company. The 
traffic in hemp alone amounts to $90,000 per annum. 

This is sufficient to show that with transportation facilities 
the trade of Mexico will reach magnificent proportions. This 
trade will soon be under the control of American capitalists as 
well as the transportation facilities, and the first in the field 
are the men who will secure the confidence and the patronage 
of the merchants of Mexico, and consequently will be entitled 
to the profits of a continually increasing trade. 

As before mentioned the greater part of the wholesale trade 



218 

of Mexico is now controlled by German importers and mer- 
chants, while the balance is in the hands of English, French, 
Spanish and Mexican merchants. The retail trade is princi- 
pally controlled by foreigners, for although native Mexican 
storekeepers are found in every village, town and city, the fin- 
est and best stocked stores are owned by Spaniards, the ma- 
jority of whom are not even citizens of the republic. These 
small dealers are controlled, with an iron hand, by German 
firms who in turn are held in commercial bondage by the 
great business houses of Germany, of which the Mexican 
houses are but branches. 

The German merchants wrested this commerce from the 
English by the means of a system of long credits they extend- 
ed to the smaller dealers. Once in the clutches of these gen- 
try the Spanish and Mexican retailers find it difficult to es- 
cape, and go on, from year to year, the mere commercial slaves 
of these haughty merchant autocrats. 

But within the last two years the influx of foreign capital 
into Mexico, through the medium of the railroad movement 
which is now sweeping over the republic, has injured the in- 
fluence and the commercial power of the Germans. As this 
foreign capital enters the country and is disbursed by enter- 
prises that are under American influence, the latter obtain 
with the masses the credit of bringing this treasure intp the 
republic, and the Mexican people are thus led to look with a 
more friendly eyeon Americans and commercial relations with 
the United States. The greater part of this foreign money 
finds its way into the tills of the retail dealers ; by consequence 
they are enabled to buy on shorter time for less price than 
formerly, and thereby lessen their interest account with the 
importers. 

The merchants have to pay an exorbitant interest to their 
creditors. The amount advanced is charged with from 8 to 12 
and at times even 18 per cent, per annum, while they have at 
last come to see that this extravagance more than counter- 
balances the advantage gained from buying on long time, and 
are meditating a change of base to a cash system. The time, 
then, has come for American houses to enter this great com- 
mercial field and compete with the German merchants in the 
very market they have so long controlled. The same causes 
which enabled the Germans to capture the commerce from 
the English and French, will put it in the power of American 
merchants to displace the Germans in their turn. For the 
retailers have begun to rebel against the commercial bondage 
they have so long suffered, and have learned that the long 



219 

credit system, with the exorbitant interest that attends it, eats 
away their capital and leaves them at the mercy of their terri- 
ble creditors. 

As money becomes more plentiful, trade will be correspond- 
ingly livelier. New retailers will open stores along the line 
of the various railroads, and in the vicinity of the newly open- 
ed mines that there are now strong hopes of seeing deVeloped. 
These new merchants will take warning from the experience 
of those for whom they formerly may have worked, and whose 
position they are acquainted with,, and will be only too glad 
to eschew long credits, and shun the illusive friendship and 
offers of the German commercial rulers of Mexico. 

A new era has dawned upon awakened and rejuvenated 
Mexico — an era of material and social improvement. The 
Mexicans have seen the foreign merchants who make the repub- 
lic their mere camping-ground ; who come to the country to 
make their fortunes and then leave it, send millions of treas- 
ure annually to Germany in payment for goods which, in many 
cases, can be purchased much cheaper in the United States, 
and have concluded to change their tactics and buy for them- 
selves in the markets most convenient for them. 

They imagine they can find the line of goods they want in 
this country, and to a great extent they can ; thus it depends 
entirely upon tlie mercliants of this section to send agents to 
Mexico with samples of goods suitable for that trade during 
the coming winter, and they will be rewarded for their enter- 
prise by the establishment of a constantly increasing and valu- 
able trade. 

How to Secure Mexican Trade, 

The " Two Eepublics," published in Mexico City, in an ed- 
itorial says : "It would doubtless be a good plan for Amer- 
ican manufacturers and merchants to send intelligent agents 
into Mexico to deal directly with purchasers ; indeed, all or 
nearly all the agents of this character who have come to Mex- 
ico have been rewarded with success. However, merchants 
doing business here complain that the orders sent to the Uni- 
ted States or given to American agents here are not always 
filled with exactitude. Sometimes the articles are not the 
same as those ordered and at others the quantity sent is in excess 
of the order. Such recklessness as this is unknown in busi- 
ness here, our merchants do not fancy it, and will not submit 
to it except as a last resort. The merchant knows when he 
sends an order to England, France or Germany that exactly 



220 

what he wants will be sent him, and he runs no risk of hav- 
ing a lot of goods iinsuited to the market thrust upon him. 

" Merchants in Mexico insist upon having their dry goods 
sent them in bales ; for this they assign various reasons. Eu- 
ropean shippers comply with this desire, but Americans, with 
rare exceptions, will use nothing but boxes. 

" European shippers make the Mexican tariff and custom- 
house laws a study ; Americans do not consider such small 
matters worthy of their attention. The goods sent by Euro- 
peans pass through the Mexican custom-houses without the 
slightest trouble ; those sent by American manufacturers and 
merchants are often subject to double or triple duties, on ac- 
count of irregularities of the manifests, arising from ignorance 
of the Mexican custom-house laws. 

Agents sent by American houses to Mexico should not con- 
fine their studies to the market ; they should carry their in- 
vestigations muck farther, and completely master the manner 
of doing business in this country. In order to do this, more 
time is required than is usually at the disposition of traveling 
agents, therefore, a permanent agency would be an 'improve- 
ment on the present custom of sending agents into the coun- 
try periodically, and the establishment of a branch house 
would doubtless prove more successful in the end than either 
system." 

We take the following extract from a letter written from 
Mexico to a Boston paper : " There are four methods ol 
seeking the Mexican trade : 1st, Through the medium^ of 
commission merchants in the United States, who are in- 
trusted by merchants here with the purchase of such Ameri- 
can goods as they require, and who will forward to their 
correspondents such samples as may be given them for that 
purpose ; 2d, By sending to commission merchants here, sam- 
ples and catalogues with the idea that they will make such 
representations as will result in business; 3d, By reaching di- 
rectly, through the medium of such a publication as yours, the 
dealers here, and, as I stated in the beginning of this letter, 
the value of such a medium depends altogether upon carrying 
out a perfect system of distribution ; and if that proposed by 
you is carried out, the object is attained. The merciiants will 
communicate with the manufacturers or their selling agents — 
they prefer to do so, — saving thereby the middleman's per- 
centage; then the samples, catalogues, and prices can be sent, 
and if found necessary, the fourth and last method, or final 
efiort, can be made, viz.: sending here the very best represen- 
tatives to do the business, — men who understand fully the de- 



221 

tail of manufacture, and whose address and bearing will secure 
such a reception as a gentleman will command. The person 
sent must expect to spend some time making acquaintances,, 
inspiring respect, and studying the wants and peculiarities of 
this market. If what he represents possesses excellence, nov- 
elty and co-operative cheapness, it will succeed ; and the only- 
thing then necessary to drive in the last rivet is by sending 
out here just what was sold. 

There is a market for all kinds of hardware, agricultural 
implements, carriages, harnesses, pianos and organs, fine cot- 
ton goods, mill and mining tools and machinery, American 
flannels, hosiery, woolens for gentlemen's wear, glassware,. 
lamps and gas-fixtures, furniture, fine leather, hats, trunks and 
valises, surgical and scientific instruments, fire-arms, etc. 

In addition to the statements of the commercial traveler, we 
would call attention to some further important facts : First, 
Under Mexican law it is necessary that an agent should be ap- 
pointed with two separate powers of attorney, issued in ac- 
cordance with the formalities of Mexican law, who is a res- 
ident of Mexico, one with power to transact business, and the 
other to collect, and if necessary, to bring suit in a Mexican 
court for the claim that may result from any commercial con- 
tracts. Unless this is complied with, no contract made by a 
foreigner who is not a resident of Mexico, and matriculated, 
can be enforced in a Mexican court. 

Second, No judgment by default obtained in a foreign 
court will be recognized by Mexican courts, and in every case- 
a trial must either be had in the foreign country, with the 
defendant, or his representative in court, before the execution 
can be issued from a Mexican court, or the trial must be- 
held in the Mexican court, the case having been commenced 
by a representative who is a resident of Mexico and duly 
authorized by the foreign house, in which case only a judg- 
ment by default, or upon trial, can be legally had. 

Third, Contracts made by commercial travelers for foreign 
houses not established in the Kepublic, or through commissioa 
merchants, unless duly authorized agents, can only be legally 
enforced by placing said claims in the hands of aii agent duly 
authorized, who is a resident of Mexico. 

Fourth, Commercial travelers should be matriculated before 
taking any orders. 

Fifth, The safest and quickest manner of collecting claima 
in Mexico is to communicate with the American consul of the 
nearest port in Mexico as soon as an order is filled, making 
inquiry for a reliable person who may act as agent, and send 



222 

on authority for collection and to commence suit to enforce 
the claim, if necessary. This should be done as a measure of 
precaution to save delay. 

The American consul in many instances acts as the agent. 
The formalities required by Mexican law in granting power 
of attorney may be found, as well ag the Mexican commercial 
and civil law, in " Hamilton's Mexican Law." 

Sixth, In filling orders, either upon samples or without, 
send only what is ordered. This is important, for the pur- 
chaser, under Mexican law, is obliged to receive only the 
goods that correspond in kind and quality with the order, and 
upon his refusal to accept the consignment, delays and ex- 
pense in recovery of the goods will be costly. 

Seventh, Carefully follow the tariff regulations as to invoice, 
marking, packing, etc., consulting with the Mexican consul 
upon all questions of doubt. 

Importance of Matriculation. 

The attention of citizens of the United States residing in 
Mexico is called to the fact that the laws of Mexico require 
*tliat all foreigners shall be matriculated at the Department for 
Foreign Affairs in order that they may have a recognized for- 
eign nationality. 

Application for matriculation papers should be made 
through the Consulate General at Mexico, and through the 
consular officials in other parts of the Republic. This is im- 
portant in the event of any complications between individuals 
and the government. 

Not only is this important in relation to any complications, 
but it is absolutely necessary in order that a foreigner may 
have any standing in a court of justice in the Republic. 

No act performed prior to the fact of matriculation can he 
remedied or henefited hy subsequent matriculation.^ Hence 
the protection awarded by this law must be sought, before any 
business is transacted by a foreign resident in the Republic. 
See " Hamilton's Mexican Law," subject: " matriculation." 

Importance of Securing Patents for Inventions and 
Improvements in Mexico. 

The present demand for all classes of machinery in Mexico 
is unexampled in the history of any nation. The slow growth 
of Mexico heretofore has debarred machinery of all kinds, and 
inventors and improvers have consequently omitted to secure 



223 

patents in the Republic. This state of affairs no longer ex- 
ists, and if it is desirable that the results of inventive skill in 
the United States are to be preserved by those who hold pat- 
ents, it may he as well to call their attention to this large 
field that demands to-day the results of their labors. 

Patents may be easily secured in Mexico, and it is sheer 
folly to neglect to take the necessary precautions to preserve 
the results of years of toil and experiment, that may be util- 
ized in the Eepublic. 

Mexico must ham machinery of all hinds used in the Uni- 
ted States or Europe^ sooner or later. Here is the great mar- 
ket, let it be remembered, for years to come, and inventions 
or improvements must follow the path of progress. Manufac- 
turersare finding a foothold in Mexico, in the shape of cotton 
manufactories, which may be seen by the article upon " The 
Trade with Mexico," herein, and 'machine shops are now 
turning out machinery of different kinds in Mexico. Foun- 
dries have been established at Durango, Mazatlan, Guaymas 
and Puebla, and others will be established in different' por- 
tions of the Republic. Manufactories of agricultural imple- 
ments are also being established, one already being in Mexico 
City and another in Puebla. This is suflScient to patentees to 
show them that Mexico is awake, and with her vast fields of 
coal at Laredo, and on the Yaqui river in Sonora, near Cosala 
in Sinaloa, and at Santa Rosa and Piedras Negras in Coahu- 
ila, Mexico will in the near future be able to establish a 
large manufacturing industry. Manufactories and machine 
shops may be easily established, and produce, with the aid of 
these immense coal fields, all kinds of machinery. The duties 
and freights, added to the cost of the articles, that now prevail 
offer too strong a temptation to manufacture the various 
kinds of machinery,including agriculturalimplements and vari- 
ous utensils that are to-day needed in Mexico. This suggestion 
is sufficient, for the patentee will readily see that unless he se- 
cures his patent in Mexico, unscrupulous manufacturers may 
manufacture machinery without the payment of a royalty in 
Mexico, and imitate every class of inventipns and compete so 
successfully with American machinery, that the patentee will 
be debarred from the Republic. This becomes the more ob- 
vious when it is considered that the Mexican or foreign man- 
ufacturer in the Mexican market has no duties to pay, nor 
freight for foreign transportation. Hence his advantage over 
the foreign manufacturer. 

Full and complete protection may be secured under the pat- 
ent laws of Mexico by any foreigner who has secured a patent 



224 

in his own country. The complete patent law applicable to 
foreigners may be found in " Hamilton's Mexican Law." In 
addition to which, we herewith give a statement from Mr. D. 
V. Whiting, a patent solicitor of Chicago, whos^ experience and 
ability are unquestioned. The following decision was received 
by Mr. Whiting from Minister Fernandez: 

Department of Public works, Colonization, Manufactories and 

Commerce. 
Section 2, No. 276.— Sr. David Whiting : 

Sir: — Your letter of the 5th instant has been received by 
this department, in which as the attorney for Sr. John S. 
Adams, you solicit a patent for certain improvements which 
you say have been introduced into the construction of towers 
{torres) for the electric light, wind-mills, etc., accompanied 
with their respective drawings and specifications. 

In reply to which, and upon consultation with the Presi- 
dent of the Republic, it is declared to you that although the 
law in force only concedes patents for inventions made in the 
Republic, the Congress has been pleased to concede the same 
to foreign inventors ; but in future cases it will be necessary 
that the said inventions l^e accredited with the patent issued 
in their own country. 

Liberty and the Constitution. 

Mexico, July 17, 1882. M. Fernandez. 

In connection with the above we present the following state- 
ment of Mr. Whiting : 

" The ])atent laws of Mexico are being so modified that pat- 
ents for inventions and improvements will be issued for fif- 
teen years upon the payment of a patent fee of $150. j Pat- 
ents will also issue for five or ten years upon the payment of a 
patent fee of $50 and $100 respectively. They will also be 
issued for the unexpired term of a foreign patent upon the 
payment of a patent fee of $10 per annum during the term 
the foreign patent has to run. Application for a patent from 
a foreigner must in all cases be accompanied by the patent is- 
sued by the government of which he is a citizen. Drawings 
and specifications must be in the Spanish language, and in du- 
plicate. One copy is returned with the patent, if issued, to 
the applicant or his attorney, and the other remains on file in 
the Department of Public Works. Internal revenue stamps 
to the amount of twenty dollars are to be affixed to the patent 
when issued. Translations cost about $1.00 per hundred 
words, and the duplicate Spanish copy about 40c. per 100 



225 

words. Attorneys' fees vary from $150 to $500, according to 
the nature and intricacy of the case. • 

David Y. Whiting, 
Attorney and Solicitor of Mexican Patents, 
102 Washington St., Chicago, 111. 

Treaties between Mexico and the United States. 

The following has been officially published by the Depart- 
ment of Foreign Affairs : 

" The treaty of navigation and commerce celebrated between 
Mexico and the United States of America on April 5th, 1831, 
was withdrawn from, by the Government of Mexico on the 
30th of ^N'ovember, 1880, in accordance with the stipulations of 
part 1st of article XXXIY. of the said treaty, and of article 
XYII. of that of February 2, 1848, which ratified the former. 

The convention entered into between Mexico and the Uni- 
ted States of America on July 10th, 1868, regarding the nat- 
uralization and citizenship of parties who emigrate from one 
country to the other, was withdrawn from by tlie government 
of Mexico on the 10th of February, 1881, in accordance with 
the stipulations of Article Y. of the same. 

The said treaties ceased to have force, the former on the 
31st of I^ovember, 1881, and the latter on the 11th of Febru- 
ary, 1882. 

By order of the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, the present 
notice is published for the information of the authorities and 
of the public generally. 1( 

Mexico, June 5, 1882. 

(Signed) Jose Fernandez, 

Chief Clerk. 

An Important Decree. 

From the Budget-laws recently passed by Congress and for- 
mally promulgated by the President, in the form of a decree, 
the following is translated : 

" From the 1st of JSTovember next gold and silver coin, in 
bars,_ bullion, ore, or in any other form, shall be free of duty 
for circulation in the interior or for exportation. In order to 
compensate the suppression of the duties referred to in this 
clause, from the above date an increase of two per cent, 
shall be enforced on the duties now fixed on the importation 
of foreign goods, but in the meantime the export duties on 
15 



226 

gold and silver shall be collected in accordance with the laws 
in force duriftg the present fiscal year." 

* * * * 4f * * 

" The following articles are hereby excepted from the pay- 
ment of package duties {derecho de hulto,) imposed by the laws 
of May 3l8t and June 25th, 1881 : 

Plows and plow-points. 

Masts, tackle and anchors for shipping. 

Quicksilver. 

Live animals. 

Bricks and tiles of all kinds. 

Common timber for building purposes. 

Cotton, tobacco, coffee, and sugar-cane seeds. 

Slates for roofs. 

Yaccine matter. 

If Mexico means to profit by American enterprise and 
capital, she must make great reduction in her tariff. She 
has already gone too far in tempting foreign capital to in- 
vestment in developing her interior transportation facilities 
to attempt to recede from the path of progress upon which 
she has entered. This she cannot do without betraying men 
who are animated with the livehest feelings in behalf of 
her development, and who have not hesitated to pour Amer- 
ican capital into her bosom and infuse energy throughout 
her channels of trade. Milhons have been invested in hei 
mines and building railroads, and this is but the beginning 
of continuous development that will lead the emigrant to a 
land awaiting his coming. Americans are aggressive in 
business affairs, and when once the temptation to invest- 
ment has met with a response by millions of capital, no at- 
tempt by unfriendly legislation will deter or hinder but 
temporarily the sweeping changes now being inaugurated. 
We are satisfied the more intelligent classes of Mexicans 
are perfectly willing and are even anxious that their coun- 
try shall keep pace with modern civilization and that they 
will ultimately remove every obstacle to the commer- 
cial and political reciprocity that should bind two sister 
Republics together with indissoluble ties of friendship and 
mutual commerce. 



ANNEX. 



Since the issue of the first edition of this work, the author has re- 
ceived a large number of inquiries relating to some portions of Mexico 
not included appropriately under the head of Border States, more espe- 
cially to that route by which Americans have heretofore "reached the 
national capital of the sister republic, beginning at Vera Cruz, where 
the steamer from New York is met, and crossing the elevated passes at 
the base of the great mountain, Orizaba. The writer, not professing 
thorough acquaintance with this portion of Mexico, and desiring to 
meet this demand by readers, has arranged with Messrs. Leve & Alden, 
207 Broadway, New YorTc, the Tourist Managers, whose sub-offices are 
well known throughout the United States, to furnish the descriptions 
and statements following, the entire accuracy of which may be vouched 
for. Messrs. Leve & Alden have done much to acquaint the American 
traveling public with this beautiful tour. The matter is largely a com- 
pilation of the correspondence of Mr. Frank H. Taylor, a writer and 
artist to whom this duty has been assigned by Leve <fc Alden, who 
accompanied General Grant upon his trip to Mexico some three winters, 
ago as artist for a leading illustrated paper. Under such conditions^ 
excexrtionally favorable opportunities were enjoyed for observing th& 
regions traversed and the character of the people met. 

It should be stated that two routes by sea are now open between the 
United States and Vera Cruz. The first is from New York via Havana, 
upon one of the superb steamships of the Alexandre Line, and the 
second from New Orleans via either the bi-monthly steamer of the 
same line or upon one of the boats of the Morgan fleet of Gulf steam- 
ships. 

The former route gives the traveler a fine foretaste of life in Spanish- 
American countries, at Havana, where a stop of two or more days is 
usually made. The voyager is quickly passed through the custom- 
house, and may either make his headquarters upon the steamer or at 
one of the large and excellent hotels which are now to be found in the 
Cuban capital. The Telegrapho is recommended, being central and 
much resorted to by Americans. The local attractions of Havana, to- 
gether with the glimpses of surrounding country obtained during a 
short stay by the stranger, often result in the determination to return 



11. 

by Havana after taking a look at Mexico. Indeed, the whole round 
trip may be made upon the" same ship, wliich remains in port at Vera 
Cmz nearly a week discharging and taking on cargo. So the passen- 
ger may enjoy the grand ride across the mountains, see Mexico City, 
and reach Vera Cruz in amjjle time to regain the ship. Notice is given 
by wire a full day in advance of sailing at the hotels in the capital. 
The trains upon the Mexican Railway are composed of English coaches 
of the compartment style, and the schedule is so arranged that the por- 
tion of the route traversed in going up at night is covered by dayHght 
in returning. 

The steamer stops at several ports both ways, the ports, however, 
being only such in name, as the vessel is anchored in the open Gulf , the 
passengers and freight being transferred to and from the ship in heavy 
surf boats. When the weather is favorable, passengers are enabled to 
go ashore in the ship's boats. The ports touched are Progreso, State 
of Yucatan, Campeche and Frontera. Natives often come on board at 
these points with trinkets of native manufacture for sale. Here we 
will allow the artist to rehearse the story of the experiences of the dis- 
tinguished partj^ — events which, in a greater or less degree, await all 
observant travelers to the land of the Aztecs : 

THE LAST NIGHT AT SEA. 

The evening of the 17th was the last at sea. Everybody was well 
and the quarter-deck was not deserted until a late hour. A group of 
musicians, men and women, sang, chiefly for their own pleasure, a 
series of Spanish airs, wild and plaintive. I have heard something like 
them in "Carmen." The Southern cross, that rare constellation of 
the lower hemisphere, was visible low in the heavens, and other stars 
new to most of us twinkled out upon our port. 

At a very early hotu* this morning all hands were on deck to get a 
first look at Vera Cruz and the famous peak of Orizaba. There they 
were, both of them, sure enough. Our ship w^as drifting quietly out- 
side of the reef. A norther had been predicted, which should keep us 
on board any number of days, for Vera Cruz has no harbor to speak 
of ; but the sea was as unruffled as the face of a Madonna. Orizaba, 
seventy miles inland, stood up against the western sky, with the cap 
of eternal snow, seemingly, less than a day's walk distant, the walled 
" City of the True Cross " stretched along the shore, compactly set 
within its gates. That famous fortress, San Juan de UJua, which 
Humboldt says cost $50,000,000, seemed a part of the town. As we 
looked, a cannon and another and another boomed a w-elcome across 
to us, counting out the salute to a General. A steam corvette came 
out of the smoke toward us, bringing the committee of reception, Mr. 
Foster, the United States Minister at Mexico, and Dr. Trowbridge, the 
Vice-Consul at Vera Cruz. In a short time they were on board, and 
the usual speech was read, after which both ships steamed to an an- 
chorage between the fortress and the city. Barges left the City of Al- 



exandria half an hour later, conveying the guests and committee to the 
mole, which was densely packed, as were many of the housetops, with 
townspeople. The shipping in the harbor was bright with bunting, 
especially a large French steamer. 

Vera Cruz is a city without carriages to speak of, and the little pro- 
cession took its way afoot through the streets, jostled on all sides by 
an eager but respectful multitude. After making several turns, we 
entered the Vice-Consular residence, and a formal reception was ten- 
dered by the Governor of the province, Gen. T eran. There is a street 
railway — a genuine bell-punch affair — in Vera Cruz, and the party next 
embarked on one or more of the cars to see the town. It was hot, su- 
perlatively so. While they were gone, I ransacked the photographers' 
shops for "vistas," and found a lot of good views, getting some 
glimpses in my search of the queer inner life of the Mexican seaport. 
Things are Moorish to the last degre-^. Nobody ever builds here. It is 
a completed city. They have to repair sometimes ; for instance, when 
one party gets into the fortress and another faction into the city, they 
shell each other unmercifully. They kept up a game of battledore once 
in that way for twenty-two months. If a man don't like the inside 
arrangement of a house, he puts in more archways and ballustrades 
and tile- work, and hangs slanted awnings about and sticks flower-pots 
in all sorts of corners, with a fountain, perhaps, in his court. The whole 
makes up a picturesque result, and no two are alike. Then the Indian 
servants — they are swathed in all the colors of the paint-box, and 
group among the flowers and against the tile-facings like Chinese pic- 
tures. There is a palace and a cathedral, both fronting on the Plaza de 
la Constitucion. Pretty much every Spanish town has an acre or so 
in the center adorned with this name. The palace looks from open 
arches out upon a very inviting spot with seats and shade trees. The 
cathedral has the usual high tower and complement of fiilvery bells 
hung inside. The whole building looks brand-new, though it is aboiit 
as old as Cortez, having been freshly calcined. Cannon, out of com- 
mission, are planted for turning-posts at the street-corners. The 
Health Commissioners, in the shape of numerous black and tidy-look- 
ing buzzards, hold perpetual session upon the eaves of the houses. 

Vera Cruz seems a very neat city. Perhaps a closer inspection would 
dispel this notion. 

A REMARKABLE RAILROAD. 

At 11 a. m. breakfast was announced at the Vice-Consulate, and at 
13.30 the train (a special,>of course), was taken for Orizaba. The ladies 
especially suffered from the intense heat, and it was therefore decided 
to forego a proposed ofiicial banquet and a general illumination of the 
city in favor of a cooler region. Our coaches resembled those used upon 
the English railways, the doors being at the side, with a foot- way along 
the base. The locomotive looked like two American engines melted 
into one. A huge stack adorned either end. The tender was in the 
middle ; there were four cylinders and sets of cranks, and reared high 



IV. 

above the whole, like the burden on a " burro's" back, was the fuel — 
cut-wood in great cages over the boilers. This railway is owned by an 
English company, and was constructed by English and American en- 
gineers in the face of marvelous obstacles. After having passed over 
its length, I will detail some of its engineering peculiarities. It is 
enough now to say that it is regarded as one of the most remarkable 
railways in the world. Our first stop was made at the little town of 
Soledad, which goes down to history as the scene of the tripartite 
treaty between the English, Spanish and French in '62. We were in 
the heart of the Tierras Calientes (Hot Lands), a rolling sandy country, 
covered with mesquit and cactus. At the stations the fruit peddlers 
and maimed beggars were equally numerous. Soon we passed into a 
richer and higher region. The foremost of the mountain ranges began 
to show in detail and color of foliage. "We twisted and turned among 
the foot-hills. In old deserted fields are the mins of haciendas. This 
was once the garden of the Gulf slope, but it was under Spanish rule 
and not m the days of the republic. The lavish earth makes a sport 
of production here, and grows her wild fruit only to let it waste un- 
f ound at the roots of the parent stock. 

About this point of our journey we bought big and luscious pine- 
apples for less than a nickel each. Now came coffee plantations, where 
the taller plantain shades the plants with their burden of reddish ber- 
ries from an over-hot sun. Then broad tobacco fields, with Indian 
laborers. Every tree is burdened with the parasitic orchids and 
weighed down with flowering vines. We stopped a moment where 
the mountains were fairly entered to look down upon one of the most 
perfect cataracts I have ever seen. The Fall of Atoyac pours through 
a rift in a mountain spur whose sides are deeply lined with moist and 
di-ipping verdure, and a thousand feet above the gorge has broadened 
so we have a glimpse of peaks and crags beyond. 

Please suppose that all of that region of Pennsylvania, of which 
Altoona is the central town, was planted with palms on every hillside, 
with jungles of banana plants and dogwood down every slope, and the 
valleys heaped with impenetrable thickets, composed of myriad forms 
of strange and tropic verdure, the whole peopled with , long-feathered 
songsters and overshadowed with cliffs, reaching into the regions of 
zero, and you will have a good general idea of what we saw from the 
car windows of the Mexican Railway in the intermediate plateau 
dividing the Hot Lands from the mountain table. 

THE AERIVAL AT OEIZABA. 

At four o'clock we reached Cordova. The clouds drifted low and hid 
Orizaba, the mountain, from view completely, but an hour later Orizaba, 
the city, loomed up in our pathway, and our trip was at an end for a 
couple of days at least. Here, at last, is the September we have so 
ardently longed for in the superheated days spent at Havana, or in 
riding idly at anchor off impracticable seaports of Yucatan. To-night, 



for the first time in two months, a blanket is invested with interest in 
our eyes. Orizaba has no summer and no winter. It is always just 
about one thing. Light goods for spring wear, and the newest thing in 
ulsters don't disturb the contented citizen of Orizaba. Sometimes they 
get the edge of a norther, but, on the whole, these Mexican Switzers 
have a decided advantage in the matter of climate. Orizaba has seen 
us, because we came into town in a street-car from the depot, and all 
Orizaba was out on the curb; but we have not yet seen Orizaba, for it 
was dark by the time we were established. 

I would like to quote something poetical at the opening of this chap- 
ter of travel, but I can't think of anything that would do justice to the 
occasion. We have been for two days in the hands of the people of 
this Piedmont city and its sister to the eastward, the town of Cordova, 
and I, for one, am thoroughly in love with the sweet-voiced, courteous 
natives, and full of admiration for the climate and the surpassingly 
beautiful cordon of mountains which hem in these little Mexican me- 
tropoli. However, perhaps, this may be shghtly premature. We 
haven't been through a norther, when this is said to be a congealed 
perdition. Nor have we had the Mexican variety of earthquake, which 
is particularly lively and capricious just hereabouts. They haven't felt 
one for three weeks or more, and it's nearly time for another, by the 
average. You see, there is a sort of subterranean telegraphic line 
between the two wliite-headed and burnt-out old volcanoes Orizaba 
and Popocatepetl, through which they indiilge in occasional growls. 
Now, the city of Orizaba is set directly over this line. 

MAEKET DAY. 

The morning following our arrival happened to be market day, and 
the Americans, escorted by several English speaking residents, went to 
the plaza devoted to the purpose, taking a round-aboi^t route, either 
piu'posely in order to see the town, or because the foremost guide had 
left his compass at home. This is an open question. At any rate 
the market was finally reached by a reduced number of visitors, several 
having dropped by the wayside, under the allurements of strange 
goods displayed in the stores. These, in time, found their way back 
to the corner, where two big omnibusses were in waiting to take us 
to the country. The market of Orizaba differs from its French name- 
sake at New Orleans, because it has no roof, and from that at Havana in 
the fact that it don't smell badly. The large plaza is covered, as closely as 
their wares will permit, with about a thousand Indians and Mexicans. 
They, overfiow into the side streets, and the little native "burros," or 
native mules, with their heavy packs, looking like ants under a grain 
of corn, are anchored all about for squares. The first comers, I sup- 
pose, stake out a claim wherever they like; then they stick a pole into 
the ground, at the upper end of w^hich is a framework supporting a 
piece of matting about as big as a Jersey bed-quilt. As every mer- 
chant sets up his own sunshade, the plaza grows to have the appear- 



VI. 

ance of a bed of toadstools, which, after the manner of sunflowers, 
follow the sun across the meridian. After the roof has been thus 
arranged, the flooring is put down in the shape of more matting. Then 
the merchandise is set out in the most attractive style and business 
begins. Everything is in baskets or pots — deep baskets, shallow baskets 
and long baskets, round pots and grotesque ones. Some are like flsh. 
The articles on sale include all the tropic fruits, fresh and dried; heaps 
of unsavory crumbs of charred meat, sold by the pint; long, cigar- 
shaped stones for grinding corn, and wooden bowls to hold the meal; 
toys, jewehy, and dry goods; shoes of buff leather, and sombreros 
weighty with silver braid; garlic, pickles, tortillas, and pulke. The 
latter is a decoction, fermented from the maguey plant, looking and 
tasting like very second-rate skim milk — not very bad, being too weak 
for badness, nor very good, being kept in hog skins lately vacated by the 
former tenant. Out upon a side street is the dry goods and feminine 
decorative quarter. All the walls of the buildings are draped in 
streaming yards of bright cloths, sashes, and handkerchiefs. The 
cobbles are carpeted with dress goods of large figure and flashy tone. 
The copper-tinted buyers and sellers squat or stand about in all sorts 
of postures, and little black-and-tan babies, scores of them, lose them- 
selves in the general hub-bub. Some of the party tossed small silver to 
the fat and tired infants, earning an unwarrantable reputation for 
great wealth. After that there was no chance to make sketches, and I 
left the field. 

Orizaba will always bear the impress of a Yankee town in our memo- 
ries in at least this particular — that they fed us on corned beef and 
cabbage. We left that hospitable mountain metropolis on the morning 
of the 21st, soon after 9 o'clock, resuming the special train which had 
brought the excursionists thus far. The engine used was of the same 
pattern as the one already described, known as the Fairlie locomotive, 
being a double machine of probably sixty tons weight and exceedingly 
well adapted to the heavy grades of the road. These engines are used 
upon the Pemvian railroads. They are supplied with the Westing- 
house air-brake, but the coaches are checked by the old-fashioned 
method of hand-brakes^ the men sitting perched upon the roofs of the 
cars. It has been found impossible to use the air-brake upon the cars, 
as the natives at once appropriated the brass couplings and rubber tub- 
ing. Each first-class car is provided with a double roof to modify the 
terrible heat of the lowlands. 

A MEXICAN RAILROAD. 

The history of this iron pathway over the mountains is a romance 
ante-dating, by several years, the Presidency of Santa Anna, and ex- 
tending to its comiDletion in 1873, since which time it has been in suc- 
cessful operation, with the single drawback of the necessity of rebuild- 
ing some bridges and getting new rolling stock after every revolution. 
Previous to 1857 but little resulted from all the agitation of the project 



vu. 

for a transraontane railway but talk, subventions and concessions. In 
that year a survey was made by a number of English and American 
engineers, practically establishing the present route, and two short sec- 
tions of road purchased, which had been undertaken with Mexican 
capital. Another revolution stopped everything again until 1861, when 
some further progress was made. During the short-lived Empire un- 
der the energetic influence of Maximilian, the line was constructed 
eastward across the valley of Mexico to Apizaco eighty-six nailes, and 
westward from Vera Cruz some forty-seven miles. When the republic 
was established, Juarez found it worth while to induce English skill and 
capital to wrestle with the problem of a mountain division uniting the 
two portions of the railway already in operation. A branch line from 
Apizaco to Puebla, opening up a rich and populous region, was first 
completed, and finally the entire line was inaugurated with great pomp 
by Lerdo de Tejada, then President, upon the first of January, 1873. 
The railway cost about $30,000,000, and is said to earn at the present 
time a net of about $3,000,000 per annum. 

The course taken by the railway westward from Orizaba led at the 
start through a valley hemmed in by volcanic steeps and watered by 
numerous rivulets which came down from greater heights through 
alcoves in the cliffs, leaving trails of luxuriant and vivid green to mark 
their course. Nestled in these nooks, where the shadows rested half 
the day, were frequent little towns, always centering upon a chui-ch of 
the universal moresque pattern, plentifully decorated with stucco 
statuary upon its exterior, and emulated with bits of tiling to the very 
cross which crowned its belfry. These gaudy, but now half -ruined 
churches, were all out of proportion to the Httle one-story thatched 
and adobe huts clustered about them. 

CLIMBING A CLIFF. 

The train, after running perhaps ten miles reached the upper end of 
the valley, and, turning a semi-circle to the left, began to moimt the 
cliff over a grade of surprising departure from the horizontal. The 
only parallel to this case in the United States that I can recall is at 
Leadville. Seated upon the broad pilot of the laboring engine, several 
of us prepared to enjoy the unfolding of the scenes along the most 
picturesque railway in the world. Looking far above us we saw the 
frail, web-like bridges and tunnels we were yet to traverse, and below 
the valley out of which we had just passed. Between two cliffs a 
mountain torrent rushes down from the upper valley, and past its noisy 
cascades a shelf has been hewn hundreds of feet above the narrow level 
of its bed, just wide enough to build a track. This is El Infernillo 
(the little hell). Now all traces of tropic vegetation were left behind. 
We were 5,500 feet above the sea, and when a few minutes later we 
stopped at Maltrata, the city of the upper vale, the Mexicans had don- 
ned their zarapes and ponchos, for it was getting cold. Across the 
valley of Maltrata the train sped by a series of tangents, stopping but 



Vlll. 

once to heap on more fuel and take a draught of water, and another 
rocky barrier of 3,000 feet, or nearly that, was to be surmounted. 

After au hour of travel we looked down from a point directly above 
the city of Maltrata, but at a height from which I have never gazed, 
except when in the vidcker basket of a balloon. Had our coaches 
jumped the track the fragments might have been picked up in the cen- 
tral plaza, where little dots of white denoted the presence of a popula- 
tion. Ragged spurs projected down the grand slopes, pierced with 
frequent tunnels. Just beyond No. 16, the last of these, we attained 
to nearly the highest point of altitude, and bidding good-bye to the 
checkered vale passed through a rock-cutting, emerging at the station 
of Bocadel Monte, 7,922 feet above and 107 miles from Vera Cruz. It 
was cold enough now. Even we of the North looked after our over- 
coats, and the Mexicans, who crowded about to get a glimpse of the 
American General, shivered in their blankets. This plateau is a vast 
grazing land. Herds of horses, cattle and sheep dot the plain. 

. THE VALLEY OP MEXICO. 

While taking a cup of coffee the " Fairlie " was replaced by an ordi- 
nary engine, as the grades gradually lead downward from this point to 
the Valley of Mexico. Nineteen miles beyond is the town of San Andres 
Chalchicomula, the nearest point to the great peak of Orizaba, whose 
snowy cap was in full view all day. Now the grassy plains gave place 
to a great dusty desert, where nothing but haystacks, occasional 
haciendas and creeping caravans break the monotone of the vista clear 
to the northward peaks. We were obliged to close every window, pre- 
ferring suffocation to the all-pervading dust. About the stations were 
groups of huts, the poorest and meanest human habitations I have ever 
seen, and peopled with beings hopelessly below the plane of ordinary 
poverty. 

Lunch was served at Apizaco in good style, the viands having been 
sent up from the City of Mexico by the morning train. This oc^.upied 
an hour. The run to the capital might have been made in three hours, 
but the reception committee had telegraphed for a delay of arrival 
until 8 p. m. So the train loafed along at twenty miles an hour, mak- 
ing occasional stops, and at one point pushing a freight, which had 
been stalled on an up grade, to the next siding. At all of the stations 
detachments of infantry or cavalry were drawn up, the latter looking 
like business in their picturesque uniforms and seated upon such superb 
horses. The natives all seemed alive to the coming of Grant, and every 
platform was packed with expectant throngs. At some points decora- 
tions were indulged in. 

At STxnset we passed a number of Aztec pyramids, and long after the 
sudden leave-taking of daylight (they have no twilight in this latitude) 
the snow-caps of the mountains stood out in bright rose color above a 
wreath of storm clouds, which dropped with the cooling atmosphere 
toward the valley. 



IX. 
AT THE CAPITAL. 

Now dust brushes were in demand, stray bits of baggage were col- 
lected, and promptly at 8 p. m. the Americans alighted at the Vera 
Cruz depot in the City of Mexico. 

Pressing through brilliant ranks of oflScials to waiting carriages, the 
guests were at once whirled away cityward. A grand archway had 
been erected bearing numerous lanterns and calcium fires, with the 
word welcome surmounted by the initial " G." Stretching for some 
distance from this and dependent from lances bearing pennants were 
festoons of colored lights, i Three thousand cavalrymen, composing 
the Guarde Rurale, the finest troops of the republic, led the way, every 
man bearing a torch. Unfortunately, the effect of the reception was 
spoiled by this arrangement, which left all of the carriages, reception 
committee's and all, hopelessly entangled among the thousands of cabs 
and private carriages which blocked the way. So the General reached 
his residence some time in advance of the balance of the party. 

THE FIRST THREE DAYS. 

• 

This is the fourth day since our arrival, and the events to date may be 
detailed within a column. Sunday evening found everybody upon the 
Paseo, the fashionable drive, where all the handsomest vehicles in town 
hold a sort of grand review, passing along the broad avenue and re- 
turning in close procession at a walk. Unfortunately for the effect 
most of the carriages are closed and one gets but a fleeting glimpses of 
fair faces and elaborate costumes. The ladies have a cute fashion of 
twinkling their ungloved fingers toward acquaintances. The space 
between the two opposing lines of carriages is gay with caballeros. It 
is quite the thing to wear a broad sombrero, heavy with silver bullion, 
B, sash and slashed leather breeches when riding with a Mexican saddle. 
I find that all the young Americans have adopted the fashion, and 
they are numerous here. I hope to be able to borrow such a get-up 
before leaving, for I may never hope to own one. The saddles proper 
are generally covered with cougar skins, embossed, gold-mounted and 
silver-plated. The adjuncts include a brilliant shawl, streaming over 
the horse's flank, with side pieces of bear-skin reaching nearly to the 
ground. In the country a lasso and carbine are added. The people are 
polite to the last extreme, and find, I am afraid, frequent cause for 
grief in the abrupt manners of their Anglo-Saxon visitors. It is quite 
common for a gentleman to say to his friend, " My house is yours, take 
it." A senor said as much to me. I thanked him, of course, as well as 
I knew how, and remarked that I would have a door-plate made. 
When it was too late I discovered that the proper reply was : ' ' Thanks, 
it is already in good hands." 

AT MOLINO DEL REY. 

Tuesday afternoon carriages were taken to Molino del Eey, which 
means simply "King's Mills." It was at the portal in the waU sur- 
roimding these buildings that the desperate assault was made by the 



X. 

Americans which drove the Mexicans out like rats toward Chapultepec, 
half a mile away, and immortalized the spot in our national annals. 
The ancient walls plainly show the rain marks of bullets and of cannon 
baUs. A plain monument upon the crest of a hill gives due token of 
the event. It was here that General Grant, then a young lieutenant, 
won his captaincy. As he stood up in the carriage, General Sheridan 
and others of the party standing upon the ground, he told us about the 
fight, and his face wore an expression of eager animation such as I 
have never observed through its mask of immobility before. Just 
before sunset we stood upon the balcony of the i^alace of Chapultepec. 
I have derived aU of my previous impressions of the place from the 
huge canvas pendant in the stairway of the Capitol at Washington. 
You will remember the cliff -like proportions of the rock and fortress- 
like structures above. It is neither steep nor high. One day we rode 
horses down the declivity at random. Chapultepec is simply a palace 
half ruined, set upon a rocky hillock. Here Maximilian had his home 
in 1864. He built a splendid avenue straight into the city, and if he 
had lived to work out liis plans I believe Mexico City would now be the. 
Paris of the Western hemisphere instead of its Madrid. The commune 
of Mexico destroyed everything possible to min at Chapultepec when 
they shot the Austrian. They even tore out the entire room where he 
spent his private hours. Everything is being "restored" now — a 
tedious and expensive process. The view from the balconied prome- 
nade of the Valley of Mexico is simply a marvel of tropic beauty. It 
is a realized panorama of cities, lakes and mountains. The dead past 
glimmers through the evening shadows, and obtrudes the memories of 
its horrors and its half -learned romances upon us, and we forget, as we 
gaze, that we are in and a part of the nineteenth century. It is easy 
to conjure the thousand sacrificial altars of the Aztecs, crowned with 
their perennial fires ; to see the little army of Cortes, five hundred 
plucky, cmel Spaniards subjugating a nation, driving before them the 
cohorts of the Indian princes, and finally, with the help of Tlascalan 
allies, capturing another and a greater city than the modern Mexico 
before our eyes, of which not a stone is left unturned ; to picture 
another army in our own times, when the legions of Scott swept about 
the base of this very citadel ; to — but the party has vanished ; they are 
already in the can-iages. 

We rode down the winding avenue through a grove where some of 
the trees are as large nearly as those of the Yosemite, passing a spring 
which has bubbled unfailingly for three centuries. A few minutes' 
drive brought us to Tacubaya, a sort of select Chestnut Hfil of ' the 
city, a suburb embracing several park-like domains of the wealthy. 
The rich are marvelously rich in Mexico, and the poor too poor to 
know how miserable they are. The country house of Senor Escandon 
holds the concentration of elegant bijouterie and upholstery drawn 
from the most luxurious cities of Europe and America. It is a vision 
of a home; but it is unoccupied. The family live in another place in 



XI. 

town. So we roamed through its saloons tmquestioned. It was dark 
w^hen we came upon the Paseo, and a squadron of cavalry which had 
come swiftly out of the city surrounded the carriage like a cloud, pro- 
tecting us from the harms of the night, which I am coming to believe 
are fabled. In the city proper, at any rate, life should be safe enough. 
Look along the streets. Every fifty feet there is a lantern set in the 
middle of the carriage way. Every lantern counts a policeman. Every 
policeman bears a sword, a carbine, and a revolver. With the hood 
of his coat drawn over his head, the Mexican policeman (sereno) looks 
like a monk; but he is a good fellow, and will pass the stranger along 
the lines safely to the hotel. Whenever a row occurs with a ' ' cabby '' 
about fares, and that's every time one rides, the sereno drops down 
upon the argument, and, looking at the driver's time-card, sends him 
about his business. Our home police could learn something from 
these Mexicans. ^ During the night the hours are heralded by the 
serenos by a whistle of the most doleful note. It is a sort of a cross 
between a whip-poor-will and a tree-toad. 

THE BREAD AND COFFEE. 

There are two other institutions here which will be left behind with 
regret, i. e., the bread and the coffee. I wish a half-dozen of our Phila- 
delphia bakers could be sent to Mexico to learn the art of bread-making. 
But then, after they had learned, they couldn't get the flour, for our 
millers bolt all the virtue out of it in order to make it fine and white. 
Mexican flour is coarse. We dose our bread with all sorts of patent 
yeast powders. Here the bread comes on the table with a shell as hard 
as that of a land-turtle, but this once cracked, the interior is nutritious 
and palatable to a degree of which we of the Quaker City know noth- 
ing. As to the coffee, any house-keeper can make it in the Mexican 
style with very little trouble. The pot used is a two-story affair. At 
the base of the upper half is a disc perforated with numerous fine holes. 
The coffee, ground very fine, is placed in the top half, boiling water 
poured in and the syrup-like extract of the fruit is soon in the lower 
receptacle. A long spout projects from the base, provided with a tin 
cap. A horizontal wooden handle completes the apparatus. The milk 
is kept hot in another pot, and introduced into the cup at the same 
time as the coffee. A couple of lumps of the light gray sugar of the 
region are added, and you have coffee as they make it where it grows. 
Mexico is a perennial magazine of surprises. The Capital is built upon 
the bed of a former lake, in the worst possible location in the whole 
valley. It has no drainage, and nothing but the altitude and resultant 
rarification of atmosphere prevents a sweeping and constant epidemic. 
The water works consist of lively fellows, who rush about the streets 
with globular tanks "fore-and-aft," supported by straps over the 
head. 

They peddle the fluid at so much a quart, I suppose. Egg merchants 
bring hen fruit in large panniers. Flower sellers border the plaza in 



Xll. 

front of the great Cathedral, which, by the way, is the largest and 
most ornate this side of Europe. Upon Sunday morning this plaza is 
gay with promenaders, listening to the music of a military band. 
Seiloritas, pretty and otherwise, parade in couples, with watchful 
mothers six paces in the rear. The Almandares, another plaza, densely 
shaded, is provided with a roadway or path upon its borders, so eques- 
trians may make the circuit at full speed — a happy idea. 

All Americans are taken to see the Aztec calendar stone, now set up 
against the Cathedral, by means of which that astute race kept track 
of fleeting time, and the sacrificial stone in the museum. Prescott, the 
historian, says that 60,000 persons were slaughtered upon this stone in 
in one year, but it's my private opinion that nobody took the trouble 
to keep count. 

Madame Testa, a favorite and sparkling prima donna, not unknown 
in Philadelphia, tells me some curious things. They always produce 
"Don Juan" upon "All Souls' Day" here. Why? Because, after 
having visited the cemeteries, distributed miniature coifins, skulls, and 
other cheerful emblems among the children, the population flock to 
the theatre, there being a graveyard scene in "Don Juan." 

THE NEWSPAPERS. 

Mexico blooms with newspapers, printed in half a dozen languages. 
They are largely given to casting political horoscopes. Bona fide news 
and sensations are of secondary importance. This is the sort of " send 
off" they give to a man who has had the mild misfortune to be 

murdered : " Senor , of , was assassinated in his own house 

upon the night of the 20th of February. He was the founder and lead- 
ing citizen of the town. The culprits escaped." 




SPECIAL AIODHCEMEHT.I 



■5— •- 



Messrs, L.EYE & ALDEN 

beg to announce to all persons who may Travel 
on their 

Tourist Tickets over tfie Mexican Railway 

— BETWEEN — 

f 114 mm mi iki oif f if mmm% 

that they will be allowed loo lbs. of baggage FREE, 
and special American Sleeping and Parlor Cars will 
be placed at their service. 

This arrangement has been effected for the 
convenience of their TOURISTS under a special 
business contract entered into with the 

This privilege is not granted to other Tickets, 
the, general rule being that all baggage in excess 
of 36 lbs. will be charged for extra. 

TRAVELERS TO MEXICO 

will therefore save money and avoid inconvenience 
by using tickets issued by 

LEYE ^ £LDE]^, 

Tourist m^ Excursion Managers, 

' Gklrf mm, %m iiOAiWAf , liw Imh. 



BOSTON, Mass.i 15 State Street. 
CHICAGO, 111.! 114 WasMngton Street. 
MONTEEAL, Can.: 136 St. James Street. 
QUEBEC, Can.! 28 St. Louis Street, 
ST. LOUIS, Mo.! 521 Pine Street. 



PHILADELPHIA,Pa,! Broad& Chestnut Si 
CINCINNATI, 0.! 131 Vine Street. 
CLEVELAND, 0,! 321 EucM Avenue. 
SAVANNAH, Ga.! cor. Bull & Bryan Sts. 
NEW OELEAMS, La.! 19 Camp Street. 



JACKSONVILLE, Pla.! Cor. Bay and Ocean Streets. 

SEE ANNOUNCEMENTS ON LAST THREE PAGES OF THIS BOOK. 



ISHTAR AND IZDUBAR. 

THE EPIC OF BABYLON ; 

OR, 

The Babylonian Goddess of Love 

AND 

The Hero andAVarrior King; 



CONSTRUCTED FROM TRANSLATIONS OF THE GREAT ACCADIAN EPIC AND 
THE LEGENDS OF ASSYRIA AND BABYLON, FOUND IN CUNEI- 
FORM INSCRIPTIONS ON TABLETS LATELY DISCOVERED 

ON THE SITE OF THE RUINS OF NINEVEH, , 

AND NOW DEPOSITED IN THE 
BRITISH MUSEUM. 

The Oldest Epic Poem of Antiquity, 

RESTORED IN MODERN VERSE, 

BY 

LEONIDAS LE CENCF HAMILTON, A.M. 

(ILLUSTRATED) 



London and New York: 
1S83. 



G. H. Malter. 



nrlim 



■J 



C. LiND. 



L,l 



E. B. Rogers. 



00. 



No. 189 Broadway, New York, 



^^Gm 



419 CALIFORNIA ST., 



CAL. 




OF ALL KINDS OF 

mtmwm'p mite, 



HitDE^^ 



s 



HOISTING WORKS, FURNACES, 

SMELTERS, ETC. 

OYER 35 YEARS' EXPERIENCE. 



TO- 



%'0kt^ 




Steamers leave New York every Thursday, 

-FOR- 

Havana, Progreso, Campeohe, Frontera, 

-AND- 
(New York to Vera Cruz in 10 Days.) 

ALSO EVERY THREE WEEKS FROM NEW ORLEANS TO VERA CRUZ, 

(NEW ORLEANS TO VERA CRUI IN 4 AND 5 DAYS.) 

f . AISiillE & SOIS. il & 13 Bfsadwaf. I.I. 



THE NEW ROUTE ACROSS THE CONTINENT! 

ATCHISON, TOPEKA & SANTA FE R. R. 

IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC RAILROAD. 
OPEN Al-r, THE YEAK ROUND, 

Trains now leave our Eastern Termini at Kansas City and Atchison as follows, 
in connection with all Eastern Trunk Lines. 

ONE PACIFIC EXPRESS ) Trinidad, Las Vegas, Santa Fe, Albuquerque, 

>■ Las Cruces, El Paso, Demiug, Benson, Guay- 
uaiiy lor j mas, Tucson, Los Angeles, San Francisco, etc. 

TWO COLORADO EXPRESSES ) Pueblo, Colorado Springs, Denver, Canon City, 

y LeadviUe, Gunnison, San Juan, and all points 
Daily lor | j^ Kansas and Colorado. 

ONE EMIGRANT DAILY FOR CALIFORNIA AND IN- 
TERMEDIATE POINTS. ONE EMIGRANT 
DAILY FOR COLORADO. 

PULLMAN PALACE OAES ATTACHED TO ALL EXPRESS TEAINS. 

Time from Kansas City to Pueblo, 23 hours ; Colorado Springs, 23 
hours ; Denver, 26 hours ; Las S7"egas Hot Springs, 39 hours ; Santa Fe, 
44 hours ; El Paso, 2 days ; Deming, 2% days ; Tucson, 3 days ; Guay- 
mas, Zy^ days ; Los Angeles, 4 days ; San Francisco, 5 days. 

Excellent Eating Houses en route, and ample time allowed for 
meals. 

For Through Freight and Passenger business to Kansas, Colorado, 
New Mexico, Western Texas, Arizona, Chihuahua, Sonora and Cali- 
fornia, this route possesses unrivaled faciUties. 

Through Passengers for CALIFORNIA and MEXICO will 

find Las Vegas Hot Springs a pleasant half-way 

resting-place, and are granted stop-over 

privileges on first-class tickets. 

A magnificent new hotel, "THE MONTEZUMA," has been opened 
at the Springs, and is furnished throughout in first-class style, with 
cuisine and appointments second to none. 

ll^"FuU information as to Koute, Rates (both passenger and freight)) TicketSi Sleeping 
Car Arrangements, etc., can be obtained at the 

rOMPAl^Y'S OPPIPES- 1 ^^^ BEOADWAY, NEW YOEK. 
COMPANY S OFFICES. I ^^^ t^aSHINGTON ST., BOSTON. 

Or by addressing — 

W. F. WHITE, S. W. MANNING, W. L. MALCOLM, 

QenH Pass. Agent, New England Agent, GenH Eastern Agent, 

X«i)ekn, Kitiisns. 197 Washington Sf., Boston. 419 Broailwu)'. New lork. 



MIZiZ.S FOB. THIS MILLIOITS ! 

No More Cumbersome Stamps, No More Experimental Pulverizers. 

OUR CRUSHER REDUCES ORE TO 20, 40 or 60 MESH AT ONE OPERATION. 

Eh 

02 r-, fl 



We also manufacture Engines, Hoists, Pumps and General M'f e' MachiHery. 

THE EEOKETT & McDowell M'Fa CO., 

Office and Warerooms, 120 Liberty street, wew York. 




(Sueeessorg to Morey & Sperry,) MANUFAOTUREKS OF 



»» 



1^ 

m 

m 
n 

Ml 



MINING MACHINERY. 







m 

Iferi 



^ SIMPLE, EFFICIENT, DURABLE AND LiaHT. 

REQUIRES LITTLE POWER. 

S2 cSc a-^ ILiiloertTT- Street, ItTe-w "^orls. 



COIilMA COFFSS COMFA1T7. 

Organized under the Laws of the State of New York. 

CAPITAL STOCK, - - - 25,000 SHAKES OF $20 EACH. 



This Company was formed for the pm-pose of cultivating and selling tlie celebrated 
Colima Coffee. To this end, \t has purchased an estate, consisting of 20,000 acres of 
valuable land, located fifty miles from the port of Manzanillo in the State of Colima, 
Mexico. There are now 60,000 trees bearing coffee of unsurpassed quality, and it is 
proposed to increase the number by planting at least 100,000 trees (from plants grown 
on the estate) each year. The estate also produces, a fine quality of sugar and many 
tropical products of much commercial value. It is well supplied with wood and water, 
and has buildings, mills and machinery, and an admirable irrigating system by canals 
of masonry. It is already connected with the outside world by steamship and tele- 
graphic communication, and railroads to the Pacific and Atlantic are in course of 
construction from the City of Colima (.30,000 inhabitants), less than fifty miles from 
the property. All products of the estate command ready and profitable sale in Colima. 



TRUSTEES: 



J. A. TONNER, 

JACOB W. RIGLANDER, 

FRANCIS N. BUCK. 



Hon. R. C. McCORMICK, 
AUGUSTE H. GIRARD, 
ABRAHAM B. CONGER, 

OFFICERS: 

Hon. R. C. McCORMICK, Pres't, | J. A. TONNER, Vice-Pres't, 
A. H. GIRARD, Secretary. 
GENERAL MANAGER IN MEXICO : 
H. W. FORTUNE. 



OFFICES OF THE COMPANY: 

No. 39 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. 

Marctts "Ward c& Co., 

LONDON, BELFAST, NEW YORK, 

MANUFACTURERS OF THEIR CELEBRATED 

Olililmiij liw f lit iii llilMii Oil iij 

PRODUCED IN THE HIGHEST STYLE OP CHEOMO LITHOGRAPHY. 

Prices ranging from 5 cents eacli to $1.50 eacli; plain Cards and witii 
Ornamental Silk Fringes. 

Liberal discounts to stealers, and orders per mail, with 
remittances, promptly filled. 

AMERICAN AGENCY, 

No. 734 Broadway, New York. 



HAMILTON'S MEXICAN LAW 

A COMPLETE COMPILATION OV THE 

LAWS OF MEXICO, 

Including Commercial Law, Civil Law, Laws Relating to Foreigners, 
and Mexican Mining Law, with Annotations and Decisions. 



By LEONIDAS HAMILTON, Attorney at Law, 

Author of "Border States of Mexico." 



San Francisco, 1882: One Volume, 8vo. Law Binding: Price, $6.00. 



This is the first work on Mexican Law that has been published for nearly thirty years, 
and contains the laws iu force to-day in Mexico, and supplies a want greatly felt by the 
Legal Profession, Business Men and Mining Men, who have long desired just such a work 
as is now presented— compact, comprehensive and authoritative. 

The wiirk is divided into ten parts, as follows : 

Pakt I.— foreigners— Rights of Foreigners; Civil Condition ; Transient Foreign- 
ers; Domiciled Foreigners; as Local Inhabitants; Ownership of Real Estate; Vacant 
Liinds; Matriculation; Reciprocity Rights; Legalization of Signatures, etc. 

Pakt II.— COMMERCIAL LAW— Commercial Companies, Formation, Rights and 
Obligations; Commercial Contracts, Bills of Exchange, etc., etc. 

Pabt III.— CIVIL LAW— Property, Real and Personal; Classification; Sales; Pre- 
scriptions ; Mortgage? ; Sales made in fraud of Creditors ; Gradation of Creditors ; Gen- 
eral Provisions relating to Insolvency ; Liens; Rights of Husband and Wife; Division of 
Property; Donation, Dower, etc. ; Leases; Inheritance; Partnership; Reciprocal Rights 
and Obl'gatious of Partners; Rural Partnership; Agency or Power of Attorney; Corpn- 
ratiouf; Common Carriers, etc.; Registration; Procedure; Attachment, Execution; 
Property Exempt, etc., etc. 

Part IV.— PATENT LAW— Forms of Patents, etc. 

Part V.-LAND LAWS AND WATER RIGHTS AND DECISIONS. 

Part VI— DENOUNCEMENT AND SALE OF PUBLIC LANDS — Colonization; 
Occupation and Alienation of Public Lands; Foreigners prohibited from denouncing 
Public Lands in the Frontier States; Constitutionality of Restrictive Laws discussed; 
Procedure in acquiring Public Lands, etc. ; Conflict of Federal and State Authorities :is 
to the Disposition of Public Lands ; Laws of various States annulled by General Govern- 
ment; Tariff of Prices of Public Lands, etc. 

Part VII.— laws RELATING TO FOREIGNERS— Rights of Foreigners to Acquire 
and Possess conditionally Real Estate; Under what Conditions; Does not apply to the 
IJorder States; Confiscation of Real Estate held by Foreigners absent from the Republic; 
Kights conceded to Foreign Colonists; Matriculation, etc. 

Part VIII.— CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC, with Amendments. 

Part IX.— JURISDICTION, AMPARO, TREATIES AND DECISIONS— Jurisdic- 
tion of Federal and State Courts, etc. 

Part X.— MEXICAN MINING LAW— Complete, with Modifications and Decisions ; 
Reorganization of Courts and Jurisdiction of Courts as to Mining Cases, etc.; Manner of 
Denouncing, Holding and Working Mines, etc. ; Rights of Foreigners to acquire Mines ; 
Are Foreigners legally prohibited from denouncing Mines in the Prohibited Belt? Decision 
of Minister Iglesias that Foreigners may acquire Mines in all the Republic, etc., etc. 



Address LEONIDAS HAMILTON, San Francisco, Cal. Send no money by 

Mail, but order by Check, Postal Order, or Express. No books sent 

C. 0. D. but to responsible publishing houses. 



"^MMWM^Mm 



CONTEMPLATING A TRIP TO 



IMCXS 



XC? 



or elsewhere, by any known Route, may avoid a great deal of 
annoyance and save money by corresponding with 

Messrs. LEVE & ALDEN, 



Tourist anJ Excnrsioi lanaprs, 



-■p 



--h 



FOR INFORMATION AND RATES. 



The AMERICAN TOURIST GAZETTE, a handsome 
illustrated quarto-monthly, may be had by application in 
person or by mail, at any of 

I.SVB (& iiliDElT'S OFFZCSS, 

Chief Office, 207 BROADWAY, N. Y. 



BOSTON, Mass.: 15 State St. 
PHILADELPHIA, Pa.: cor. Broad 

and Chestnut Streets. 
OHIOAGO, 111.: 114 Washington, St. 
CLEVELAND, 0.: 321 EucHd Ave. 
CINCINNATI, 0.: 131 Tine St. 
JACKSONVILLE, Pla.: cor. Bay 

and Ocean Streets. 



SAVANNAH, Ga.: cor. Bull and 
Bryan Streets. 

NEW OELEANS, La.: 19 Camp St. 
ST. LOUIS, Mo.: 521 Pine St. 
MONTEEAL, P.Q.: 136 St. James St. 
QUEBEC, P. Q.: 28 St. Louis St. 



%i^tM & M%mmM. 



Tourist and Excursion llianagers, I 

CHIEF OFFICE, 207 BKOADWAY, N. Y. 



BOSTON, Mass.! 15 State Street. 
CHIOAQO, ni.! 114 Washington St'reet, 
MONTREAL, Can.! 136 St, James Street. 
QUEBEC, Can.! 28 St, Louis Street. 
ST. LOUIS, Mo,! 521 Pine Street, 



PHILADELPHIA,Pa,! Broad&Chestnnt Sts. 
CINCINNATI, 0,! 131 Vine Street. 
CLEVELAND, 0.! 321 EucUd Avenne. 
SAVANNAH, Ga.! cor. Bull & Bryan Sts. 
NEW ORLEANS, La,! 19 Camp Street. 



JACKSONVILLE, Fla.i Cor. Bay and Ocean Streets. 



©®;Iif E-R^l. MmBM'E'm WMm tmm 



Allan Line Royal IMail Steamers, Short- 
est Sea Route to Europe. 

Amerion Tourist Route, St. Lawrence 
Steamboat Co., Niagara Falls and 
Montreal. 

Quebec S. S. Co., only Steam Route on the 
Gulf of St. Lawrence ; also from New 
York to Bermuda, St. Thomas, and 
Windward Islands. 

St. Lawrence Steam Navigation Co., only 
Steamer Line to Saguenay River. 

Cuba Mail S. S. Line, composed of Ward's 
Palace Steamships. 

<Szc, <5cc.. 



Cromwell Lines, to New Orleans, Halifax 
and St. Johns, N. F. 

All-Rail Daylight Route, to White Moun- 
tains, Lake Memphremagog, and 
Quebec. 

Boston, Concord & Montreal Railway. 

North Shore Railway, between Mon- 
treal and Quebec. 

Boston & Maine Railroad. 

Old Dominion Steamship Co. 

Chesapeake & Ohio Railway. 



OFFER TO TOURIST AND PLEASURE TRAVELERS 



AN UNLIMITED VARIETY OF 



TOURISTm EXCURSION TICKETS 

Over the most Popular Routes 

AT LOWEST RATES, 

To all Summer and Winter Resorts and Points of Interest 

IN THE 

United Stales, Canada, West Indies, Central and South America, and Europe. 

liSVS (& AIiDSlT, 

PUBLICATION DEPARTMENT, 107 LIBERTY ST., N. Y. 



v^ROYAL MAIL STEAMSHIPS^ 

SAILING FROM 




iQUEBECtoLIVERPO'DLl 

EVERY SATURDAY DURING SUMMER MONTHS. If 

Superb Accommodations at Moderata.Rates. 

SHORTEST OCEAN VOYAGE, 

ONLY FIVE DAYS FROM LAND TO LAND. 



fmS ROUTE PRESENTS UNPRECEDENTED AD- 
VANTAGES to tourists, enabling them to view the mag- 
nificent scenery of the Lower St. Lawrence. In addition, the 
distance from Quebec to Liverpool is 500 miles shorter, and of 
the reduced distance 1,000 miles is INLAND NAVIGATION, 
reducing the actual ocean voyage to a minimiim of FIVE 
DAYS. 

Fortnightly Mail Service between BALTIMORE and 
LIVERPOOL, calling at Halifax, N. S., and St. Johns, N. F. 
Extra ships from GLASGOW, GALWAY, LIMERICK, 
QUEENSTOWN, and LONDONDERRY, direct to BOSTON. 

For passage and information apply to 

LEVE & ALDEN, Genl. Agents, 

207 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. 



PHILADELPHIA, Pa.: 

K E. cor. Broad & Chestnut Sts. 

BOSTON, Mass.! 

No. 15 State Street. 

OINOINNATI, 0.! 

No. 131 Vine Street. 



CHICAGO, 111.: 

No. 114 Wasliington Street. 

CLEVELAND, 0.: 

No. 321 Euclid Avenue. 

• ST. LOUIS, Mo.: 

No. 521 Pine Street. 



NEW OELEANS, La.: No. 19 Camp Street. 



The M Extensive UaiuMurers ef Billiaril and 7eol Tables in the World, 




The J. M. Brunswick & Balke Co., 

Cincianati. Ohio; San Francisco, Cal.; Chicago. 111.; St. Louis, Mo. 

724 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. 

OUR UNRIVALED "MONARCH" QUICK CUSHIONS 

Are guaranteed for ten years, and are Superior in Quickness and Accuracy to all others. 
Send for Illustrated Catalogue and Price List. 

THE COLLENDER 




These tables are used in every country of the world, and are acknowl- 
edged to be superior to all others for beauty of design and finish, 
sohdity of construction, and durability. They have taken first premiums 
at the Centennial Exhibition. Philadelphia; the Paris Exhibition, 1878; 
the Chilian Exhibition; the Exhibition at Sydney, N. S. W., and every 
other Exhibition where they were brought in competition with tables 
of other makers. The celebrated Collender Combination Cushions, with 
which all these tables are supplied, combine the greatest speed and 
accuracy, and are warranted to stand in any climate. A full supply of 
Billiard and Pool Tables, also Cloth, Balls, Cue Tips and Billiard 
Materials of every description, of the finest quality, and at the lowest 
prices, constantly on hand. Send for Catalogue and latest Price List. 

The H. W. COLLENDER CO., 

Principal Warerooms, 768 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. 

^E2,-i^XTC Ear ■^V.A.iaEISOOIv.^S : 
BOSTON, 241 Tremont Street. I ST. LOUIS, 15 South Street. 

PHILADELPHIA, 113 South Ninth Street. I CHIOAGO, 84 and 86 State Street. 

BALTIMORE, Md.. 367 W, Baltimore Street. 



HAMILTON'S MEXICAN LAW 

▲ OOHPLKTE OOHPILATIOK OT THB 

LAWS OF MEXICO, 

Including Commercial Law, Civil Law, Laws Relating to Foreigners, 
and Mexican Mining Law, with Annotations and Decisions. 

By LEONIDAS HAMILTON, Attorney at Law, 

Author of "Border State* of Mexico." 



San Francisco, 1882: One Volume, Svo. Law Binding: Price, $6.00. 

ThiB ie the first work on Mexican Law that has been published for nearly thirty yean, 
and codtains the laws in force to-day in Mexico, and supplies a want greatly felt by the 
Legal Profession, Business Men and Mining Men, who have long desired just such a worli 
as is now presented— compact, comprehensive and authoritative. 

The Work is divided into ten parts, as follows: 

Pakt I.— foreigners— Rights of Foreigners; Civil Condition ; Transient Foreign- 
ers; Domiciled Foreigners; as Local Inhabitants; Ownership of Real Estate; Vacant 
Lands; Matriculation; Reciprocity Rights; Legalization of Signatures, etc. 

Part II. -COMMERCIAL LAW— Commercial Companies, Formation, Rights and 
Obligations; Commercial Contracts, Bills of Exchange, etc., etc. 

Part III.— CIVIL LA W— Property, Real and Personal; Olasslflcatlon; Sales; Pre- 
scriptions; Mortgages; Sales made in fraud of Creditors: Gradation of Creditors ; Gen- 
eral Provisions relating to Insolvency; Liens; Rights of Husband and Wife; Division of 
Property; Donation, Dower, etc.; Leases; Inheritance; Partnership; Reciprocal Rights 
and Obi gatiouBof Partners; Rural Partnership; Agency or Power of Attorney; Corpo- 
rntion-; Common Carriers, etc.; Registration; Procedure; Attachment, Execution; 
Property Exempt, etc., etc. 

Pakt IV.— PATENT LAW— Forms ofPatents, etc. 

Part v.— LAND LAWS AND WATER RiGHTS AND DECISIONS. 

Part VI— DENOUNCEMENT AND SAI^E OF PUBLIC LANDS — Colonization; 
Occupation and Alienation of Public Lands: Foreigners prohibited from denouncing 
Public Lands in the Frontier Status; Constitutionality of Restrictive Laws discussed; 
Procedure in acquiring Public Lands, etc. ; Conflict of Federal and State Authorities as 
to the Disposition of Public Lands; Laws of various States annulled by General Govern- 
ment; TariflT of Prices of Public Lands, etc. 

Part VII.— laws RELATING TO FOREIGNERS— Rights of Foreigners to Acquire 
and Possess conditionally Real Estate; Under what Conditions; Does not apply to the 
Border States; Conflecation of Real Estate held by Foreigners absent from the Republic; 
Rights conceded to Foreign Colon'sts; Matriculation, etc. 

Part VIII.— CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC, with Amendments. 

Part IX.— JURISDICTION, AMPARO, TREATIES AND DECISIONS— JurlBdio- 
tion of Federal and State Courts, etc. 

Part X.— MEXICAN MINING LAW— Complete, with Modifications and Decisions; 
ReorganlzHtlon of Courts and Jurisdiction of Courts as to Mining Cases, etc.; Manner of 
Denouncing, Holding and Working Mines, etc.; Right'* of Foreigners to acquire Mines; 
Are Foreigners legally prohibited from denouncing Mines in the Prohibited Belt? Decision 
of Minister Igleeias that Foreigccrs may acquire Mines in all the Republic, etc., etc 



Address LEONIDAS HAMILTON, San Francisco, Gal. Send no money by 

Mail, but order by Check, Postal Order, or Express. No books sent 

C. 0. D. but to responsible publishing houses. 





















>■■». y :» :» 















>tXB> 



1>^ i^i'^ > 









^>^» o :,">.r-»'> >»';_:>j3*> 






> >.> -> :>'>^:> .1, 

:io •■r "^ 



_J» > 


:>:> 


£_^VV 


>z>:^- 


^^> .' 


lISB^ 


>.^ > 


>? "' 


zZI^^ 


^>3 3>> 


>-> 


~|[^p| 


-:d> >- 


>^ S>a ~ 


r^jgji 


:':'::^ :>> 


■ >>_>!> ■■■, 


13B» 


^>^ :> 


>>■ :2e> 


:j:::^> 


'.:D> ■-:;»• 


3» ">2> • :^ 


os» 


S^*^* 


> :» 


^^i>?>> 


■!l/^~T» ~* 


:> » 


>>«J 












'>D 


, ■ !>, - :- ^ --! 


»/^3*> 


■>>> 


"-^-:-. ^^ 


»•' ■i>- ".■-_^ 


> 


»"T!a»" 'is-''*'^ 


:>nr>-' 


»-• 


-3>r>^-^S38^r3»r->. 










>'' :^i:3»C3» 


^ ' 'Z^^^ 


m' 


■ »:y>Smr 


:^ 


w}ZJ> 




■«':>^s» ""3 


BO 






» -:t>S2!»^— :^: 


> ; 


3. '^~~^^ ^J 




MH 


^E^^K 




> 


~>'^TZ* 


^ 




.-* ■>>3S» 




».^ > '^:3»' 


K» 




';>>. ^ssr^ 




»> ' ~z:^ 


ll 


» 


"..^T^'S^a* 




■K> :'>rZ> 




i> 


>--3a»3 




»• >>:3»» 


» 




,-., >3ar==i 


» 


> :»'-Z» 


3 


»>•> 


r... 1S» v^ 






3 


■*■■:> 


■fe@^^JP» 


> 




r>->3j' ~3e*e» - 


>>" ~I]^3^ 


»»-_ > ' 


BT^aiO^ 


:» iza*- 


» J- 


.;~::>2aL2S»» 


»:=:»• 


' "J -- 


■;j>i^'2ae»c». , 


*-^^ Z!!I^^ 


>• i 


-?^»^^:2>^ 


■ 2> :2»i. 


:>::^ ■ 




>i^^^ 


:r> 3 


Z3t> 


3> r^m 


::> - ■ 


' •';_:X>.'-' 


ja> ^»> 


► > J , 


..-,,-;>> , 


>:> Z3* 




'■■" -^^j*""'.-.. >j> Z3i^ 


^ > 


->:>a» 


:x> ~~'^^ 






> 3 > > > >> i~ 












3 >:v>> 










."■»»::> _ 


»>>^:>r: 


i> :^36> ^> -;- 


>55Q»3: 


^.^aur^^ 


5>_2SG> 


3>r^j:^ ?■ 


» g!»2^_.:2* 


:^>> :^> 


_ Ti"?^:^': 


:2>,^»:> 


"3ilR>. 


>>'_:::»> 


r-2>>j*'z> 


S» M>-^ .- 


33>:>:^ 


T» >IZ>> ' 


'^TX3* ^ 



>>.";3t>:::>e> 



• :2) > 
. > :> 





















^S^. 






:^>B*oc:3>» 






.-3> 


^■> 


■C2> 


■ '> 


2> 


3-:> 


£> 


T! ^ 


2> 


■>.J3»^ 


_2> 


5:ns> 


•~1> 


- 12^ 












3^- 
























LIBRARY OF CONGRESS tg 




